Protect and Follow

By: MusketeerAdventure

Summary: This chapter takes place during the episodes Lay Thee Before Kings, The Longest Mile Home, and The Seed of Evil. Noma decides to face her fears; Alex re-evaluates their next move; Pete works his own magic and Michael continues his search for the trio.

Chapter Fourteen: Moving Forward

When they crested the threshold of the front door into the living room, Noma reached up and clasped Alex's face between her trembling hands. She searched his questioning gaze and promptly collapsed weakly into his arms.

How could she explain it to him? What could she say that would help him understand her despair; her grief and now her real fear of what danger awaited them from the stranger in the woods and in her dreams?

Alex deftly lifted her limp form; carried her to the couch and laid her gently down on her side. Without being asked, Pete reached for the bucket and ran from the house to gather more water from the well. When he reached the well and looked out to the trees, the eight balls hissed; snarled and spit in his direction – but did not cross over into the dusty yard. He frowned out at them, and wondered what this meant.

Why did they not strike? What power controlled them? Was there a dyad at work here as well controlling these lower angels as Julian controlled those back in New Delphi?

Pete pulled the bucket up from the well, and raced back toward the house. When he returned, together with Alex, they once again took to undressing Noma and cleaned away the saturated towels and oozing blood from her back.

Alex worked steadily and with great care, but could not help but dwell darkly in guilt as he lifted away the blood from her torn shoulder blades.

He had failed miserably. Gabriel still lived; Michael captured – tortured or maybe worse; and Noma had given up everything – and seemed to have lost her will to live. And what of Vega and her people – how was he to save them if he couldn't even keep the ones closest to him safe?

After attempting to care for Noma the best they could with such little at their disposal, Pete slid to the floor at the foot of the couch. He watched solemnly as Alex slid behind Noma and lifted her legs to rest them across his thighs – his eyes forlorn, and his countenance almost defeated.

Pete sensed the anguish in him and quickly went to assuage his melancholy. "She's going to be alright", he whispered. "Everything will work out."

Pete stared into the blue aura that was Alex and was sure his words rang true. He just needed Alex to believe it. He was the chosen one; and he had complete faith in his abilities. And just as Noma had done, he would sacrifice anything – even his life to help Alex.

He lifted himself to his knees and locked his gaze with the man who saved his life, and decided in that moment to press on and say what needed to be said.

"Whatever comes Alex", he began, "Whatever happens, I'm with you all the way. There is no turning back for me. I was once – no twice – possessed; overtaken - a puppet for a maniac. And it was you who saved me from a life of slavery - an existence that would be worse than death."

Alex heard the sincerity in Pete's words and felt his face flush with heat. He sighed deeply and thought on what he could say; but had no answer for such loyalty. What was there to say? That he felt undeserving? That he did not understand the message God was attempting to impart? That he was afraid he would get them all killed? - And for what? To follow him, would surely mean great sacrifice.

He knew he was committed to being the chosen one – but what did that really mean? How much more could he expect Noma and Pete to give?

Pete grabbed his knee and squeezed, "I pledge my life to you Alex. You can do this thing – save Vega and help save mankind. I will not leave you."

Alex took in a shuddered breath and met Pete's steady gaze, "Then I pledge mine to you also." He looked down at Noma and added, "And to Noma." He then felt the markings move beneath his jacket and knew something monumental had happened, but did not understand. He pushed up his sleeves and he and Pete watched in awe as they shifted and realigned themselves.

He growled low in his throat with frustration; and wished Michael were there with him to tell him what this all meant. He dropped his arms; leaned his head back on the couch and called for him – just like he use to when he was a kid; and prayed hard that the archangel would hear him and come.

Pete stood to his feet, "I should go out and search for something that can help her – needle; thread – anything." He bit his bottom lip and moved toward the door ready to get going.

Alex shook his head as he rubbed Noma's knees laid across his lap. "No – we don't split up again", he responded. "From now on – we stick together." He searched Pete's face; saw the indecision there and waited for a response – knowing his impetuous nature.

Pete frowned at that, "Is that an order; because she won't get very far like this."

Alex jutted is jaw toward the door, "Go out and see if you can get that truck started. Then we'll leave this place and get what we need – together."

Pete walked to the door and stared out reluctantly into the yard. Eight balls snarled beyond the trees. Alex followed his line of sight. "For whatever reason, I don't think they will bother us", he surmised. Pete nodded in agreement and asked, "What do you think it means?"

Alex shrugged his shoulders; just as bewildered. "I don't know. But it is a gift we'll take advantage of."

Pete nodded; walked out the door with determination and stalked quickly toward the truck. It was time for him to work his own brand of magic.

After hours in the air searching for clues; reaching out for any sense of Alex – Michael finally had to give in and listen to his body.

He descended to earth and landed gingerly on the ground; his knees buckling immediately. He sat unceremoniously in the dirt and groaned as the myriad of aches and pains made themselves known.

Torture by Lyrae's hand had taken more out of him than he had thought. He leaned his head into his hands and rubbed at his temples and hoped the pain there would subside soon. The dizziness was making it difficult to fly and to concentrate.

The more he attempted to reach out to try and connect with Alex – the more the pain spiked behind his eyes and dug into the base of his skull. He just hoped he was headed in the right direction; and that the reason he could not sense Alex was because he had not survived the escape.

He examined his hands, and saw that they still trembled from the course of electricity that continued to fire through his system. He held onto his knees – willing them to stop shaking; so that he could at least stand. But it was no use. For now he was grounded – tethered to the ground by his infernal weakness.

In his mind, he knew that he needed to get moving; but also knew he would be no good to Alex if he could not function properly. Michael leaned back and lay against a nearby tree; took in a painful breath and felt the air shudder in his lungs.

He would rest here – take a moment; gather himself and pray that Alex, Noma and the boy had found shelter and were well.

His thoughts then fell to his brother – who in the best of times he did not understand. To have fought on opposite sides of this war for twenty –five years and to now help him escape in order to find the chosen one - was incredulous.

Truly, Gabriel must still love him.

With that his last thought – Michael closed his eyes to rest; and in his dreams heard Alex call his name.

As Pete worked out in the yard, Alex sat in total silence with Noma resting beside him and thought of what to do next. First order of business was to get the truck moving; then find what they needed to fix Noma – then head to Vega.

He regarded Noma with care and thought on her earlier actions. What would make her leave him and head out among the eight balls? It was obvious to him she wanted to end her life, but why? He thought she loved him; and that her mind was strong – but perhaps her sacrifice had been too much to bear.

He had pledged his life to her, and he would stand by it.

Noma stirred beneath him, and Alex squeezed her shoulder lightly. "It's okay Noma", he whispered – as she shifted and groaned with pain.

When she gazed up into his eyes – she saw only love and felt sorry that she had wanted to leave him – to end her life, so that she would not have to live without her gift. She had sworn to be at his side always. But she could not help the depression that weighed her down.

"Who am I?" she asked him once again as he stared down at her. "Who am I?" Her voice cracked as tears slid down her cheeks.

Alex caressed her hair; and pulled playfully at her pony tail – "You are Nomes", he said and smiled down at her. He leaned over then and pressed his lips to hers. She responded to his warmth and kissed him back.

When he pulled back from her, she reached up; touched the side of his face and repeated his mantra in a soft whisper, "Nomes." He nodded down at her and there in his eyes she saw both tenderness and passion. And she saw something else there too – perhaps commitment?

She felt a tickle of something in her mind and thought now maybe she would regain her strength – become something new and help Alex restore balance to this retched world. Perhaps he could save her too while he was at it. She felt that tickling sensation again and frowned with uncertainty. A distant memory gnawed at her; insisting that she remember, and she tried hard to concentrate on it.

East was it? Was she to take him East?

In the yard, they could hear the truck engine turn over and Pete let out a yell of triumph.

Alex smoothed the frown from her forehead and grinned, "Let's go", he said; and brushed his lips against hers. "Let's go and get you fixed up."

Together they rose from the couch; walked to the door and left the little house behind. Pete stood beside the truck, with his hands held out wide with a huge smile on his face that reached his eyes. He jumped in on the driver's side; pushed his foot down on the accelerator; and listened to the purr with satisfaction.

When he opened his eyes, Alex and Noma stood at the passenger door ready to join him. He leaned over and pushed the door open, "We have half a tank of gas", he yelled out to them, "Enough to get us going."

They stood at the door, side by side – anticipating the journey ahead – "Come on! Hop in!" he bellowed, "Let's get this show on the road!"

Thank you so much for reading. I would love to hear what you think; so please leave a comment! As always – thank you for those who have reviewed; have favorited or have decided to follow this story. It is much appreciated!