Hey my darlings! I am sorry it's taken awhile to get another chapter up, I've been trying to pace how quickly I get chapters up-just so I have time to plan more! I hope you all enjoy this chapter, I tried to answer all of the requests for more descriptions of Gabriella's wings- so let me know what you think! Please review! xoxoxo
Gabriella dreamt drifting in soft cloudiness until gradually, a gentle tickling sensation began to pull her out of sleep. She came to slowly, face down in the pillow, her long hair fanned around her. She felt a hand stroking her back gently, and smiled softly into the pillow, knowing it was Michael.
Michael continued stroking her back and shoulder blades, delighting in the small shivers that he felt run down her spine.
"What are you trying to achieve here love?" she asked her voice full of amusement.
Michael leaned down and brushed a kiss across her shoulder, "Your wings my love. I wish to see the up close." Gabriella smiled and turned her head slightly, just able to see Michael's face, close to hers, and whispered, "Move back a bit then."
Michael leaned back and sucked in a harsh breath when she shrugged slightly and extended her wings.
They were pearlescent, shifting from shades of white, to lavender, pale blue, pink, and a myriad of others, visible only to his angelic eye. Small sparks of light flashed off her wings, glinting with power.
He reached a tentative hand out and touched a feather gently, marveling at its softness and strength. His own were hardened, he supposed that came with age, but hers were like the hardened leather of his old armor, tough and yet still pliable.
He heard her small intake of breath at his touch, and a slight shudder went through her wings and body.
Gabriella had to repress a moan at Michael's touch, it sent a shudder of pleasure through her whole body, and made her feel like his hands were everywhere on her body.
She felt a growing tightness in her core, and ached to feel Michael's hands on her more. In a swift movement she rolled and sat up, facing him, desire bright in her eyes.
She moved with unexpected swiftness and straddled Michael, her damp core brushing against him, eliciting a low groan from deep in his throat. Michael's hands went to her body automatically, his left hand gripping her waist tightly, his right snaking up her back between her wings, tracing lightly over her skin.
Gabriella ran her fingers over Michael's chest, noting that the tattoo that had once been there, was now gone. She lay her hand flat against his chest, over his heart and closed her eyes.
Michael stared down at her, entranced by this woman he loved. A soft glowing light emanated from her hand, small sparks popping out from under her hand, and yet he felt no pain.
He watched as her brow furrowed for a moment, his heart constricting with love at the sight of her face, so dear to him.
Gabriella removed her hand with a sigh of pleasure; now there was a glowing white tattoo where the old one had been, written in spiraling angelic.
Gabriella laid her hand against her own chest and copied the tattoo there, smiling up at Michael as she did. Now, should they ever be separated, they would be able to find each other.
Michael saw and knew what it was, and loved Gabriella more for it. Since he had met her she had done everything in her abilities to protect him and Alex, even giving her life, and he knew that he had little to give her in return except his love.
With a suddenness that surprised Gabriella, Michael pulled her to him fiercely and kissed her, a low groan escaping him as her hips ground into his.
He was always surprised by how much he wanted her, no matter how many times they made love, he always found himself wanting her more.
Gabriella let out a moan as his hand came between them, his fingers working her clit, her hips bucking against him as they kissed passionately.
"Please Michael" she gasped, "Please!"
With a sharp movement, he thrust into her, his eyes locked onto hers, watching as her pupils blew wide with a fiery passion.
Her wings shuddered and tightened against her body as he continued to thrust into her, ripples of pleasure crashing through her.
Gabriella braced her hands on Michael's shoulders, her body aching for release as she thrust her hips back against his, small gasps escaping her. As Michael's hand once again found its way between them, her movements became faster, harder.
Her hands found purchase on his back, scratching him, sending shivers of delight down his spine until with a shudder, his wings spread. He thrust into Gabriella harder, taking delight in her gasps of his name, feeling her shudder around him as she grew closer to her release. With a meeting of their hips, and a swirl of his fingers against her clit, Gabriella came apart on him, her wings blowing wide, brightening with light and fluttering with passion.
Michael thrust a few more times into her and then stiffened, his back arching, his wings shuddering.
Michael collapsed backwards onto the pillows, his hands still at Gabriella's hips. She sat atop him, her chest heaving, taking her time to catch her breath.
A short time later they had showered, dressed and packed, and were in the kitchen eating a hearty breakfast before getting back on the road.
Gabriella was at the wheel once again; her hands tight on the wheel as the icy road twisted and turned on their way to New York.
After driving for hours, the skyline of the city came into view; burned out, broken down and dirty. The bombing campaigns of generations earlier had utterly destroyed parts of the East Coast, and great parts of New York. Most in Vega thought the eastern half of what used to be the United States was uninhabitable, but Gabriella knew that with time, all things change.
As they drove through the city slowly, Alex and Michael looked out the windows with wary eyes, hands on their weapons. Finally, as they were driving through Central Park, the sky darkening with storm clouds, they found signs of the Camp- tents, makeshift walls, and guards.
Gabriella brought the vehicle to a halt and looked first to Michael and then Alex, "So, what should we do?"
Alex peered out the window, "Be cautious. We don't know these people or what capabilities they have."
Michael nodded, "We don't know who leads these people, what type of person they are, or how they will respond to outsiders."
Gabriella nodded and began driving again, slowly, approaching the makeshift gates of the Camp. Two guards waved them to a halt, one approaching the window and indicating for Gabriella to put it down. She smiled cautiously at the guard, "May we pass?"
The man did not return her smile but peered into the windows and frowned, "What business do ye have here?" he asked gruffly.
Gabriella spoke calmly, in a gentle, even tone, "We wish to speak to whoever leads your camp, if they would be able to make themselves available." The guard stared at them for a long moment, and then shared a sharp look with his companion before ushering them forward.
As they moved through the camp slowly, they could see that there were hundreds of people living there, Gabriella felt her heart wrench at the sight of the exhausted and worn looking women and children lining the streets to look at their vehicle.
Finally, a tall well built, bearded man came to stand in front of the hummer, holding up a hand for them to stop. Gabriella parked the hummer and shut it off, moving slowly from the vehicle with her hands raised, seeing out of the corner of her eye Michael and Alex doing the same.
The man stood with his arms folded over his chest, appraising them silently. Finally he sighed deeply and spoke, "Who are you, and how did you find our camp?"
Gabriella moved slowly around the side of the hummer to stand next to Michael and Alex, nodding gently to Michael for him to speak on their behalf.
Michael took a half step forward, "We come in peace. My name is Michael and I am an archangel of God and Heaven." He waited a moment for the quiet murmuring of the gathered crowd to quiet, and then continued, "These are my travelling companions, a doctor and a soldier. They aid, protect and assist me with the mission God has blessed me with- to stop Gabriel."
The bearded man listened to Michael's speech solemnly until he had finished and then cocked his head, "I thought you lived with all those do-gooders in Vega?"
Michael inclined his head, "I used to, until it fell under attack by Gabriel multiple times. It was my hope that by leaving, I would draw Gabriel's attention away from Vega." The man's eyebrows flashed up, "So you thought finding us and leading him here was a good idea?"
Michael shook his head, "No we have recently fought a battle against him and shaken his confidence greatly. We came here because I believe that there are other higher angels-archangels, hiding themselves here, protecting you. We would speak to them and ask for their help-and if they so choose not to, we will leave."
The man stood silently, appraising Michael and their small trio and then nodded. "Very well. Word will be spread of your arrival-if the angels are here as you say, they will either come to you, or they won't. You may wait for them here. We have no extra supplies or food to share, so don't ask."
Michael nodded, "Thank you for allowing us to stay. We ask of no food or goods from you, we have our own." The man grunted and turned away to speak to the crowd.
"This is the archangel Michael, he and his companions believe there may be archangels among us-protecting and helping us. If that is true, we are grateful to them. But Michael would speak to them, so spread the word quickly. Go!" his deep voice carried far, over the crowd, dispersing them as they chattered.
The man turned back to the group, "My name is Daniel. If you find you need anything, my tent is just there-"he pointed to blue tent, slightly larger than the rest.
Michael nodded his thanks, staying silent. He turned to face Gabriella and Alex, a grim, tight look on his face. They moved to the rear of the hummer, pulling out various food supplies for a late lunch.
"Do you really think there are other archangels here?" Alex asked softly.
Gabriella nodded, "I can feel them, even if they don't want to come forward." Michael bobbed his head sharply, "Now that we are here, I too can sense them. Though they may not wish to come forward and make themselves known or give assistance. We will just have to wait and see."
The next few hours they spent cleaning their weapons, sparring lightly, napping in turns and reading. As the day wore on towards dusk Alex sighed and sat up from where he had been lying down in the back seat of the hummer, "Well, should go?"
Michael and Gabriella exchanged a look and then both nodded in agreement. "Perhaps if we are away from the Camp the other angels would make themselves known?" Michael spoke to Gabriella softly. She nodded.
Michael made his way to Daniel's tent and called out the leader's name softly, waiting for the other man to come forth. He reached out and shook Daniel's hand, "Thank you for your hospitality, but we need to be going." Daniel nodded and wished him well before ducking back into his tent.
While Michael was speaking to Daniel, Alex and Gabriella quickly repacked. They waited in the hummer, and upon Michael's return, left from the Camp.
Gabriella drove for a short time and then pulled the hummer to the side of the road, parking it.
As dusk fell, and with it snow, the inside of the hummer became colder. Alex sat in the back under blankets, writing a letter to Claire. Gabriella had taken note of him doing it on the road before and had thought it sweet, if a little silly. She had asked him why he was writing them, and he had looked at her solemnly, "In case I die."
She had felt her breath catch at that and had laughed uneasily, "Nonsense." He had smiled sadly at her, "Yea? Well you weren't supposed to either. Who knows what lies ahead of us?"
She looked back at him now and saw he was shivering, and created a small ball of light, which emanated heat, but did not burn to the touch. Alex looked up in surprise at the sudden warmth and smiled gratefully at her.
She looked over to Michael who was engrossed, staring up at the sky. She loved staring at him, his high cheekbones and firm mouth, thoughtful eyes. Suddenly she felt the growing sensation of powerful angels approaching. She reached a hand out to Michael and squeezed his arm lightly.
They exited the hummer quickly and moved across the street to the remains of a broken down hotel. They flew quickly to the top, and watched the sky, waiting to see the archangels' arrival.
Gabriella felt the sensation of their approach grow stronger and looked north, her sharpened vision picking out the shape of four figures. "Two blocks and closing" she whispered.
A few moments later they could hear the wing beats, bringing the angels closer. Four figures descended from the sky in front of them, landing softly. They stood in a row, garbed all in black, with black scarves obscuring all of their faces, leaving only their eyes visible.
They stood in front of Michael and Gabriella, silent as the night, waiting, hands on their swords.