Protect and Follow

By: MusketeerAdventure

Summary: This takes place during the episode Heir of Salvation. Alex finds he has an unexpected gift to add to his arsenal as the "chosen one" – Noma fears it; Pete is the grateful one; and Michael searches for his faith.

I hope you enjoy the hidden moments and thoughts of the characters inside this episode!

Reviews are welcomed!

Chapter Two: Realizations

Michael stood in the small church and decided that here he would wait; here in Mallory, where the residents felt and heard his Father speak. Not only did God speak to them; but he loved them and held them in good stead - all of which he had lost and hoped to regain.

Standing here now- alone - in this house of worship, felt completely strange and foreign to him. How long had it been since he had even stepped foot in a church such as this? Definitely before the war – perhaps even before then.

He breathed in the essence of the place and closed his eyes – attempting to restore some sense of peace to his soul; a soul that had been ravaged – torn asunder with doubt – betrayal and self-loathing. He looked deep within himself; and found that his soul was indeed a battered thing. Was it beyond repair? Was redemption out of reach for him?

Michael opened his eyes and looked among the extremely rare artifacts of faith collected here at this altar and thought of their religious significance; and how such things not only brought humans together, but also tore them apart. He reached out and touched the statue of the chosen one; and wondered about Alex. Where was he – how did he fare – for in his heart, he knew he lived? If death had been his fate, Noma would have let him know – or he would have felt it himself as their connection was deep and strong. Despite his anger and Alex's disappointment in him; he would know.

He rubbed the statue; sighed and tried to get a handle on his emotions. Where had this all-consuming anger he felt bubbling inside him stem from? Was it really due to his Father's absence; Becca's betrayal; Alex's reluctance to trust him; or his own self-doubts? Did he feel this way because his siblings would not join him; and see things the way he saw it?

He frowned and felt his body relax in anticipation – no it wasn't anger he felt now. Right at this moment, with his anger dissipated; he began to feel an inclining of hope. Hope that his Father still loved mankind; and through them – still loved him. "Father", he whispered reverently – hoping against hope he would hear a response – feel God's presence – sense his love – as he had before His disappearance.

Michael dropped his hands from the statue and considered them closely.

How had Laurel described their faith? One of song, service and sacrifice – such that it opened God's heart to them and allowed them to hear him speak. From hundreds of miles away – he had been lured here by their voices; their words lifted up in songs of devotion – songs that had gripped his heart and had him reflecting on his Father's goodness and mercy.

How was it possible that they could hear God as clearly as he had heard them sing? Father had been gone for such a long time now. All of his own attempts to communicate were left unheard – unnoticed; or ignored.

Michael moved toward the window of the church, and could see the eternal flame of Mallory engulf the reaching figure in the midst of the bon fire; arms lifted in adoration to the heavens. If the flame remained – then God remained. Michael bowed his head to listen, but he could hear nothing. Why had his Father continued to stay away – keep him at bay; unwilling to touch his heart?

What was he doing wrong? Had he not devoted centuries to protecting mankind; his most precious creations? Had he not looked after Alex – the chosen one – and cared for him as best he knew how?

Laurel talked to him of sacrifice. Was it that he had not sacrificed enough? He looked again to the artifacts before him with a questioning glance. Sacrifice? Was that what he lacked?

He knew he lacked the courage to sacrifice himself as Christ had sacrificed – to give his life willingly for the sake of others. Was this what he was meant to overcome; his fear of humility? He looked inside himself for the answer; but couldn't find it.

For months, before finding his way here, he had wandered the earth – moving from one desolate place to another – his faith dwindling; hope diminishing to almost nothing. He had failed Alex, himself and God; and had thought the rest of his days would be spent in a sort of limbo – waiting for this world to crash down around him and finally succumb to Gabriel and his followers.

But now – this place – Mallory, Alabama; was showing him something different.

Laurel had complete and utter faith that God spoke to her; loved her and protected this community from the eight balls – and all other manner of disaster. He stood perfectly still; placed his hands behind his back; and strained to feel His all protecting grace.

Suddenly, a cry of urgency penetrated his thoughts. This pure note of cadence was from Noma – she was sending him a message. Michael lifted his head and listened to her fear of and for Alex. He had performed a miracle – evicted a lower angel from an eight ball – who had survived and now was returned to his humanity.

Michael listened to her call in amazement; but did not respond. He thought on the implications of this; and looked to the heavens. Perhaps God was speaking to him after all – just in a way he was not accustomed to.

Alex – able to evict an angel – Mallory protected here in the middle of nowhere, within the bowels of unspeakable danger. Michael looked up at the cross above the altar. He would stay here for a while – a brief moment in time for him; and learn to hear God's voice in a new way. Perhaps Laurel could teach him this.

Then maybe he could approach Alex – who hopefully would accept his help; and let him fight alongside him once again.

Alex lifted his head; and searched the cloudless sky. Soon night would be falling; and making it to New Delphi before dark seemed almost impossible. Pete stumbled along – tired, hungry, and confused; Noma followed; but seemed anxious about this whole idea.

But Alex would not be deterred. This was the only way – he was sure of it.

He held his weapon at the ready for any sign of trouble and noticed Noma did the same. Together, they were a fine tuned instrument; ready to do battle at a moment's notice. They could travel like this for hours more, without food; water or rest – and had done so many times in the past.

However, Pete was another story. The boy was tripping over his own feet and barely walking in a straight line. If they were all to make it – they needed to rest; eat and find water. He would not leave Pete or jeopardize his safety in any way.

Pete was his responsibility now. He had brought back the boy's humanity and now it was up to him to keep him safe and nurture him. Pete thought himself an experiment; but he was more than that – he was a game changer – he was perhaps the way to peace on earth.

Pete stumbled again – this time tripping over a root and falling to his knees; breathing hard. Finally, Alex called a halt, "We'll rest here for a while", he said – helping Pete to his feet and walking him over to sit next to a downed tree truck; and leaned his back to its bark.

"Thank you", Pete breathed out smiling; rubbing at his bruised knees and shins – his eyes red with exhaustion and lips chapped with thirst.

Noma shook her head in disbelief, "No Alex! We must keep moving. If we want to reach New Delphi before dark, we can't stop." She threw Pete a disdainful look; unsure what she felt about him and what he represented.

"Pete needs to rest", he countered, "and I won't leave him behind." The stare down between them was briefly intense.

Noma looked at Pete with exasperation – shrugged her shoulders and gave in. There was no talking Alex out of something once his mind was made up. Alex sat down next to Pete – clapped him on the knee and felt suddenly weary himself.

Noma stared at the two men before her and made a decision – "I'll go find something for us to eat and some water", she offered.

Alex threw his empty water canteen to her; which she plucked deftly from the air. "Thank you Noma", he said, smiling slightly at her – relived their standoff had ended without an argument. Noma smiled back – unable to resist his latent charm and innate goodness. She shook her head despairingly over this weakness, and took off further into the woods.

When Alex looked beside him, Pete was already asleep – his head back, resting on the downed log – his body lax and at rest. His thoughts drifted back to just mere hours before – when this boy with serrated teeth, and blue veined skin had attacked and tried to kill him.

He looked down at the markings on his arm and tried to comprehend it. He touched the circle and line – concentrated hard and wished he could remember what word; what thought– what motion activated its movement. For certain, it was the markings which had cured Pete – not he.

Alex stood and began to gather kindling for a fire. It was a risk to have one, but if Noma was able to find food- it needed to be cooked. They had to eat.

He left Pete's side, and picked up stick after stick and his thoughts turned to Michael. Where was he now? Was he even alive? He had stopped Noma from contacting him earlier – had that been a mistake?

Despite their differences he still felt something for the archangel – the angel who had taught him a sense of duty; loyalty; and to fight for humanity at all costs. These lessons could not be easily dismissed. Michael's tutelage and guidance was all he had ever known. He knew – no matter how angry and betrayed he felt – he would never fully disown his feelings for him.

Looking back toward Pete, he saw the boy twitch in his sleep; his eyes rolling beneath closed lids and his mouth pressed in a tight line. He wondered what Pete would dream about. In sleep, would he dream of his life before being possessed; or would he dream the horrors of being an eight ball?

He moved closer to the distressed young man; and placed the kindling down – using two sticks to set about making a small fire. As the flames took hold – curled smoke and crackled – Pete sat straight up; and screamed.

Noma entered their circle; frowned and could not believe what she was seeing -first a fire – to give away their position; and then Pete screaming at the top of his lungs. She shook her head and dropped the dead snake and water canteen to the ground.

Any minute they would be set upon; either by eight balls or roving human bandits who killed just as indiscriminately – there was no getting around it. They would be dead before they could even reach their destination.

Alex ran to Pete's side and covered his mouth with his hand – held down his shoulders; and soothed in his ear, "Wake up. You're safe Pete. Wake up."

Pete slowly and with effort pulled his eyes open; blinking in half beats – and felt the man's hand over his mouth and frowned with consternation. He made eye contact and nodded his head vigorously taking in a breath through his nose to still the sense of horror trying to come up through his throat.

Alex removed his hand slowly and gripped Pete's shoulder, "You okay?" he asked, before removing his hand totally away.

Pete nodded again, and rubbed his face and eyes. He remembered now. He looked over to the woman's disapproving face and groaned. They were on a journey. This man had saved him, and they were on their way to a place called New Delphi. Pete shivered and hugged himself tight.

Noma watched him closely and threw the snake near the fire and launched the water canteen at Alex who caught it securely.

"Seriously – a fire?" she queried with her eyebrows raised up to her hairline. Noma sat on her haunches and pulled out her knife.

"I know", Alex countered, "But we need to eat." He passed the water to Pete and watched as he took a healthy swig and wiped his mouth with relief.

"We can eat snake raw", she insisted – and sneered as both Alex and Pete shook their heads in the negative – mouths frowning in distaste. She laughed at them both; and began the task of skinning the snake.

Pete looked between them and understood that he was the liability. However, he would not lie – he was glad they had stopped. With rest and food, he knew he could then keep going.

As the snake cooked and spit juices in the flames – Pete watched his two companions and could not keep his curiosity in check any longer.

Staring at them both, he asked, "Who are you exactly?"

Alex sighed deeply and realized that he had not even told Pete his name. That he had followed them with such faith was incredulous. "Alex – and this is my partner Noma. We are soldiers from Vega", Alex introduced – pointing first to himself and then to Noma.

Pete searched the recesses of his memory, "Vega?"

Alex nodded, "It's too much to explain. Just know that we are on our way to New Delphi to ask for help and to gather an army to fight back the archangel Gabriel."

"Angels? Eight Balls? And I was an eight ball?" Pete paused in thought in order to gather enough courage to ask, "What is that?"

Noma looked him hard in the eyes, "A lower angel, who possesses humans in order to fight with Gabriel to take over this earth. Alex here evicted your angel and now you are back to being you again."

Pete was at a loss, and understood none of it. Only that whatever Alex had done, he was grateful. Noma cut off a piece of the cooked snake and handed it to him. He ate ravenously and heard Alex and Noma chuckle, but didn't care. His stomach continued to rumble as he swallowed each delicious piece; positive he had never tasted anything so good in his life.

As the three ate in companionable silence; Alex took the opportunity to assuage his own curiosity, "Just before, when you dreamed – what was it about?"

Pete sighed, and pinched the bridge of his nose, "I don't remember the dream, only that I felt invaded; unclean somehow." He shuddered and Alex squeezed his arm. "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you" he promised.

Pete looked at Alex perplexed. Though he felt safe with Alex and Noma – he knew that was a promise no one could keep. "I see a light in you Alex; and know that you will try your best. But you don't need to promise me anything – I'm just glad to be alive."

Alex thought then to ask Pete about his life before; but decided against it. That life – before being possessed was over – gone for some time he expected; no longer relevant. There was no point in bringing it up. Pete would have to start all over again; and he would be here to help him.

When they finished eating; and put out their fire; the three got to their feet and continued on through the woods to their destination – rested and feeling the better for it.

The sun had set; and now darkness cloaked them, with only the moon and stars above to help guide the way – providing hidden shadows among the trees for the silent group of assailants who took stock; waited and were ready to attack.

Thank you for reading. Please review and let me know what you think. I hope you liked the hidden moments within the episode.