Protect and Follow
By: MusketeerAdventure
Summary: This takes place during the episode Lay Thee Before Kings. Alex, Noma and Pete escape New Delphi and find sanctuary. Michael flees torture with the help of his brother, but Gabriel remains a captive intent on revenge!
Protect and Follow Chapter 11: Rest
Alex gazed up at the stars and wondered at the markings tattooed on his body; their hidden message of doom for Vega plaguing him with guilt and remorse. If only he had been able to decipher their meaning sooner – Noma's sacrifice could have been avoided. The impending army of eight balls ready to strike Vega at its core could have been thwarted.
If only he had trusted Michael, not turned away – not been so stubborn and tried to do things on his own; maybe everything would be different.
Instead he waited here in the woods for Pete to return – with his most trusted friend injured beyond repair; praying she would not die tonight in his arms. His hopes to save her; to save Michael – to save Claire and his unborn child, diminished as each moment passed.
He just wanted to weep. To curl in on himself; and give into the grief his weakness of character caused him. Noma's loss was his doing; and could never be repaid.
He looked pensively down at Noma; who lay in his arms out here in the damp elements – her breathing uneven and her brow creased in pain. He touched her hair and smoothed out the curls forming across her forehead and then laid his hand gently across her shoulders.
Suddenly he felt a pain stab his heart and gasped. He clutched with his free hand at his jacket; and pulled it away from his chest – breathed in a harsh breath – and when the pain eased and left him; he sensed such a deep, resounding loss.
He took his hand from his chest and brought Noma in close – uncertain as to what just took place; why his heart hurt so; and what this pang of loss meant.
When he scanned the area where they rested; all he could see about him in the dark were the willow trees; limbs bent heavy under some terrible weight– as if sensing his emotions and weeping for him.
And in that moment, Pete crashed through the trees – breaking the all-around silence; and stood before him, smiling in the moonlight – his eyes as bright as any star out on this black night.
Alex had not expected such a brash entrance and frowned at the approach of his friend – the noise not bothering him one bit. But then he saw the pleased look on Pete's face, and hope flared in his chest where loss had left a void.
Noma moaned and moved to sit up – having heard the commotion. She peered up at Pete and felt his good news before he even spoke. She held out her hand to him; grabbed his arm, and pulled him down in the dirt beside them.
"I've found some place to rest", Pete breathed out heavily and looked to each of his friends with eagerness. Alex gripped his shoulder and then cupped his cheek with fond gratitude.
Pete jumped swiftly to his feet, "Now follow me", he urged – and reached a hand down for Noma to help her stand.
Together the three held onto each other; and steadily followed Pete's lead away to safety.
Gabriel stared across at his brother and could see that the torture inflicted on them was taking a toll. Michael looked pale and small – and the beating he had endured earlier was evident in the way he held himself; and took in short painful breaths.
After Lyrae's manic visit of spewed hatreds; whined wrongs and droned explanations of his plan of electrical torture and body snatching – Gabriel decided to rethink his plan. The dyad had blessedly left them alone and now he could reconsider and change his course of action.
He regarded his brother openly with affection and knew he loved him beyond his own life – always had. They saw things differently – but he could bear to see him tortured no longer. Michael was not only their Father's favorite; but his as well. Michael, his beloved twin, who he loved, above all of his brothers and sisters – who he would save from this wretched place; no matter what it, took on his part.
He, himself was no longer worthy. His single minded focus to bring Father back at all costs had turned him into as much of a monster as Lyrae.
Gabriel took the sparking pole into his hands and felt the electricity jolt through his body; and instead of pain, the shock of it gave him clarity. He watched as Michael bowed his head- sweat dripping from his brow; flowing down his neck and pooling at its hollow point.
Father must return. And if anyone could do it – Michael could.
He smiled then at his beautiful little brother, who seemed ready to die here with him – for what? He would not let him give up his life here this day – or be possessed by Lyrae and used – violated for revenge.
So, here was his chance. He would act now. Perhaps Alex would be Michael's stone to bring Father back – as David had been his. The stain on his heart still there from the boy's murder – which time had not healed; would never heal.
Gabriel set his jaw in determination, and placed his walls back in place to hide the past. Lyrae setting the electricity voltage higher, played right into their hands.
Gabriel held on tight to the sizzling live wire above his head; kicked his brother away and let the electricity flow through the steel into his body and watched as Michael held up his bonds and let the energy release him.
Michael fought in magnificent, fluid motions as the eight ball guards flowed into the room to contain him. He watched through a haze of unspeakable pain as Michael killed them all - his face like placid stone, and then came to release him.
This wasn't part of his plan.
As Michael lifted him from the ground – his legs weak, unable to hold him up – he knew what he must do. If his brother would not let him go, then he had to do it for him.
As his brother dragged him to the open door for escape – he dropped from his grip; pulled the pins restricting his power and pushed him through to the other side and slammed the door shut; locking it securely.
He could hear him screaming; and pounding on the door, "Brother – don't do this!" The anguish there pierced his heart; but he sighed in relief; and knew Michael was too weak to break down the door.
He fell to the floor willingly, unconscious – letting go – knowing his brother was now safe, and he would get his chance at Lyrae.
Michael pounded the closed cast iron door first with his fists, and then unfurled his wings to give it more weight. He could not leave him. Gabriel had entered New Delphi to help him find Alex and retrieve the markings.
Now, because of him he would be tortured to the brink, in order for Lyrae to steal his body and wreak havoc as an archangel.
Michael stopped his pounding, exhausted, and laid his head against the cool metal of the door and prayed for guidance. If he stayed, Gabriel's sacrifice for him would have meant nothing. It was his brother's wish for him to find Alex, decipher the markings and bring Father back.
"I'll do it Gabriel", he cried out in anguish through the door. "I will bring Father back", and ran to escape New Delphi – his heart heavy, but his purpose renewed.
He would go find Alex now, and together they would head back to warn Vega.
Alex woke to sunlight streaming into half covered windows.
He felt Noma's weight beside him on the dust covered couch and stretched his limbs subtly, as to not wake her. He pushed his head back to the arm of the couch and looked up at the peeling and cracked ceiling.
He rubbed his red rimmed eyes; looked around the living room slowly and took in the family portrait hanging on the far wall. This had been someone's home. Children had been raised here; furniture dusted – the lawn watered and cared for.
He sighed heavily and covered his eyes to keep from seeing the family in the portrait, who were all probably long dead or possessed.
They had made it here sometime in the night – slow and steady – but were here now, under cover – out of the elements and safe for the moment. Pete had brought in a bucket of water from the well, and they had carefully removed Noma's coat; and t-shirt to clean her open wounds.
She had grit her teeth, held onto Pete with a tight grip and never cried out as he swiped away the blood and dirt. When he had finished, she collapsed on the sofa where she lay now at his side.
He placed his chin atop Noma's head; pulled her in and reveled that she breathed steadily. He peered from beneath his arm, and there Pete slept on the floor among tattered blankets and a thin pillow he found in one of the bedrooms.
He scrutinized Pete in his sleep and smiled slightly. He had done this thing – saved their lives and he was beyond grateful. Seeing him appear; crashing loudly from beyond the willow trees, last night with that cocky grin was a Godsend.
Like Noma said – Pete was definitely a warrior; stubborn as a mule, and would go down fighting.
He caressed Noma's shoulder and kissed her hair.
Now a decision had to be made. He would let Noma rest here, and he and Pete would venture out and find needed supplies to help her. She would protest for sure – but there was no other way. She had barely made it here and during the night he knew she dreamed of heaven as she called out to her Father to restore her gift of flight so that she could return home.
A search of the house earlier – had shown that nothing of worth was left here. They would have to find needle, thread, and bandages – soon.
He hoped Noma would be safe here alone. She was too tired and weak from blood loss to go on. He kissed her again and settled back down; snuggling her close to his body.
Another hour and he would wake them. Right now, they all needed the break from running for their lives. Besides, it felt good to be here, lying next to her – the heat from her body giving him strength.
Suddenly he felt movement on his forearms from beneath his jacket – and lifted his arms from around Noma to pull up his sleeves and watch in fascination as the markings shifted positions. They were trying to tell him something – but what?
He wished in that moment that Michael was here now, to help him understand; guide him and get them out of this mess he had unwittingly engineered. They were meant to work together. The two of them would read the markings and save humanity as a team.
He lowered his arms carefully to hold Noma once again, and thought briefly on Claire and wondered how she and his unborn child fared. Was she well? Did the child thrive within her body?
He looked down at Noma and knew he loved her. What did he now feel for Claire? Did he love her also? Who was she now to him other than the mother of his child? He felt different somehow – not that angry, scared boy who had fallen for the Lady of Vega.
He was someone else now. He was committed to being the chosen one; committed to mankind.
He frowned, and watched as Pete moaned in his sleep and turned to face the wall – dreaming no doubt of possession and death.
Not now – he thought. He could not think on it now. It was all so much, and he just wanted to rest.
So he closed his eyes and forced himself to relax. Just one more hour, he pleaded with himself. In one hour, he would wake the others. Then he and Pete would find what they needed to keep Noma alive.
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