When Mica regained consciousness an hour later, she opened her eyes and looked around, finding herself lying down in a dark room rather than the alleyway where she collapsed. She sat up slowly and realized she was in a decrepit building that had been abandoned for several years and was soon to be demolished. Looking to her right, the angel girl saw there were several candles nestled in a corner, casting some much-needed light in the empty room. Some of the candles had intricate symbols carved into them that looked like angelic scripture. Suddenly, Mica sensed the presence of another angel nearby, noticing the air was heavily scented with a pleasant aroma that reminded her of shortbread and sunshine.

"Welcome back, little sister", a male voice announced itself. Looking up, Mica discovered it was Michael who spoke to her. Not the human she helped save by talking him out of committing suicide, but her oldest brother, the Archangel who battled Lucifer and threw him out of Heaven. The silver-haired angel was perched on a beam several feet above the ground, staring down at Mica, who couldn't help but grin upon seeing him again.

Michael rose up and jumped down from the beam, landing gracefully on his feet. His shoes made no sound as he walked towards her. Upon closer inspection, Mica could see his face had aged by fifteen or twenty years, and that he had swapped his heavenly robes for normal attire to make him look more human. He wore a long-sleeved, white shirt made of some kind of rough material and matching trousers, while a pair of black shoes adorned his feet. His wings were hidden underneath the long, sleeveless, dark gray coat he was wearing. Michael stood before the younger angel and crouched down to her level, his mouth curved into a thin line that resembled a smile.

"How did you find me?" Mica asked him.

"I've been watching over you ever since you left home", Michael answered. "When I saw what happened, I knew I had to come rescue you. Your wounds should heal up momentarily."

Mica looked down at herself to see what he meant, and was shocked to find that her coat and sweater had been removed, her naked upper body showing four bullet holes located around her stomach. There was no sign of blood and she felt no pain, but because she was in human form, a feeling of shame came over the angel girl, who grabbed some of her long brown hair and moved it to the front to cover up her chest, feeling vulnerable. She lifted her head to look back up at Michael, looking shy.

"Don't worry, you'll live", said Michael, who rose up and turned around as he went over to a desk and picked up a bottle wrapped in leather, pouring some liquid into a goblet. He then turned again and walked back over to Mica, offering the goblet to her. "You're not the first angel to take a hit from a bullet. Here, drink this."

Mica took the chalice from the superior angel and said, "I've never been shot before", then paused a moment to taste the wine, taking one small sip, then several more. She hadn't realized just how thirsty she was.

Michael crouched again to open a small paper bag that was sitting on the floor next to her, taking out the compression of bread and meat smashed together. "You should eat", he ordered, handing the sandwich to Mica, who took a huge bite and chewed fast, working her way on trying to scarf down the entire thing. Angels rarely needed to eat or drink, but as long as they were walking among Earth, inhabiting a mortal body, they were required to consume a large amount of food in order to help regenerate body tissue, especially after being shot or stabbed. Mica remembered she was selecting some food to eat from a convenient store when she was gunned down, gently trying to coax a robber not to harm anyone. Thinking back on this caused her to slow down her fast chewing, a small feeling of vengeance infecting her mind for a moment.

"The man who shot you is not too far from here", Michael informed her, sensing what she was thinking. "Once you've regained your strength, you may leave and go after him, though I strongly advise you not to."

Mica took another minute to chew her food, then swallowed so she could speak. "I wasn't thinking about killing him", she stated. "He was desperate, and he didn't know what he was doing."

"Oh, no, he knew what he was doing, but if that man chooses to continue living his life the way he does, he won't survive for very long", said Michael. "Some people in this world don't use their brains like they should."

Mica looked away, half-agreeing and half-disagreeing with the ancient, much wiser angel. Michael had been around a lot longer than she had, even longer than Gabriel or Lucifer, and thus knew better than she did, but being that this was her first time on Earth, Mica knew she had much more to learn about the people who lived in it. Not everyone was good, but not everyone was bad. This was what she tried to teach Gabriel before their argument caused her to fly away.

"You can't force someone to change their mind, Mica", said Michael. "If Gabriel refuses to admit his mistakes, that is his problem. If I were you, I wouldn't waste my time with him anymore."

"Why?" Mica asked.

"You can't be a savior, Mica. That role belongs to someone much more important than you or me. Your heart is in the right place, but right now, you need to take care of yourself and think about what is best for you."

Mica tore her gaze away from Michael, choosing to looked at the floor, instead. She felt ashamed of herself, trying to be something that she was not.

"I have to leave here soon, but before I go..." Michael reached inside his coat and pulled out a folded-up striped sweater, giving it back to Mica. The angel girl stuffed the last bite of sandwich into her mouth and took her sweater back from the Archangel, pulling it over her head and straightening it out once she had it back on. Looking down, Mica saw there were four small holes around the stomach area that showed where the bullets went through, the woolen material stained with her blood. Her wounds had sealed up by now, but unless she knew how to sew, which she didn't, the bullet holes in her sweater would have to remain unattended to.

"I know you love our brother and want to help him, but you can't keep doing it if it hurts you", said Michael. "Gabriel has an important part to play in God's plan yet, but first, he must learn his lesson."

"I understand", said Mica, looking back at Michael, who offered his hand to the angel girl and helped her to her feet. Rather than bow to him like she did the last time they saw each other, knowing how much Michael hated being praised, Mica resorted to throwing her arms around the noble Archangel, who smiled and patted her back, returning the hug. Once she was free from Michael's hold on her, Mica stepped back and looked at him.

"Do I have your permission to say goodbye to Gabriel before I leave this place?" Mica asked.

"Where will you going?" Michael inquired.

Mica shrugged. "I don't know. Africa, maybe? I've always wanted to visit there."

"Very well. Go find Gabriel and make amends with him, but after that, you must let him be alone for a while. You may visit him once every year or so, but you mustn't let yourself be around him for very long."

"I understand."

"Take care, little sister", said Michael, cupping his hands to her cheeks and leaning forward to place a kiss on her forehead. Once he released her, Mica pulled her hair out from underneath the neckline of her sweater and bent down to pick up the goblet, taking one last sip of wine before tossing the cup aside, then she turned around and walked over to a large, opened window, looking up towards the sky before staring down into the alley below. Michael came over and stood next to her, holding up a long, white coat that had a few drops of blood on it. Mica knew it was her blood.

"Where will you go from here?" Mica asked, looking at the Archangel.

"The same place I was before I came down here to you", Michael answered, helping her put her coat back on.

Mica looked out the window again, knowing he was talking about Heaven. The sky was dark and clear, but even she could tell there was still a war going on up there, the carnage unknown to mortal beings.

"Will we ever see each other again?" Mica asked, looking at Michael once more.

"I don't know, Mica", Michael answered, shaking his head. "Nothing is certain at this point, but know that Father and I will be watching over things. I'm going back now. I have a legion to command, you know."

"Be careful, Michael."

Michael chuckled lightly, stepping back. "Careful? I always am", he said, then a radiant glow appeared around him as he spread his arms out wide, tilting his head back before he vanished into a flock of doves bathed in moonlight. Mica waved goodbye to her oldest brother, then turned around and jumped up onto the windowsill, looking down at the street below before jumping out and taking flight, her wings only visible in shadow form.

Meanwhile, Gabriel was wandered through the streets, searching for Mica. He felt horrible about the way he had treated her and wanted to apologize, especially after he called her 'monkey girl'. His temper got the better of him and he failed to handle the situation like a reasonable adult. Mica had been nothing but kind to him and he insulted her. Angels were all about love and compassion, something he had forgotten about. He always admired Mica for her compassion. She was kind, courageous, soft-spoken and ever-loving to all living creatures. Everything he wasn't. Gabriel knew he wasn't like the angel he used to be, but for over a thousand years now, he had become so sick and tired of all the attention the humans received from God that he was hellbent on seeing them destroyed. It wasn't fair to him, but it also wasn't fair to take his anger out on his little sister.

Hearing the sound of wings flapping, Gabriel turned around to see Mica was standing right in front of him, having flown over to find him, despite the fact that her wings were not visible. His blue eyes showed concern when he saw the blood and puncture holes on Mica's sweater, realizing she had been shot during her absence. His own shirt had been splattered with blood a few days ago, when a group of police officers mistook him for an armed criminal and opened fire, gunning him down. He merely passed out from the effects of the bullets, but was instantly revived an hour later, to which he killed a coroner and took back his trenchcoat.

"What happened to you?" Gabriel asked.

Mica blinked, staring at him. She didn't know what to say or how to answer him without him getting angry. "Gabriel, I...I'm sorry for running off the way I did. I was just-"

Rather than reprimand her for leaving him, Gabriel chose to embrace his little sister, trapping her into a tight hug. This surprised Mica, who was able to relax once she realized what was happening.

"I'm sorry I scared you, Mica", said Gabriel, releasing her. "I mean, where have you been? I was worried sick about you."

"You were?"

"Of course I was. Where did you go?"

"I needed some time to think things over."

"And? What did you figure out?"

Mica licked her lips, still waiting for the wrath of her brother to show itself. "That I can no longer help you if you refuse to see the error of your ways", she blurted out. "I love you, Gabriel, and I forgive you for what you did and what you said, but I'm afraid I have no choice but to leave you."

"Why?"

"Because I have to. I can't force you to change your mind about mankind. I know that now. I shall always love you as my brother, but your pride and stubbornness is too much for my heart to bear."

Gabriel shrugged. "So, that's it, then? You're going away?"

"Not entirely", Mica answered. "I'll come around every now and then, but right now, you need a timeout."

Gabriel wrapped his arms around himself, failing not to look disappointed, and if it weren't for the rumbling noise that came from his stomach, Mica would have assumed that he was cold and not hungry.

Reaching a hand into her coat pocket, Mica took out the last of the money she had on her and handed it over to Gabriel. "Take this", she said. "I won't need it where I'm going."

Gabriel accepted the cash from her, stuffing it into his pant pocket. "You've got a funny way of showing your love, Mica", he said.

"Would you rather I tell you to go back to Hell?" Mica quipped.

"Hell doesn't scare me. I've been there once before."

"What does scare you?"

Gabriel saw no way out of answering her question. He shrugged his shoulders again and said softly, "Losing my soul. If I have one."

"You do have one, but you must decide what to do with it while you're here", said Mica. "What else frightens you? That you'll end up dying in that meat suit? You won't."

"How do you know I won't?"

"I have a feeling. Trust me. I'm leaving soon, but I'll be watching over you, and if at anytime you need to talk to me, I'll always be able to hear you..." Mica looked upwards towards the sky. "And so will He."

Gabriel looked up at the sky with her, seeing nothing at all, and when he lowered his gaze to look at Mica again, she was gone. He looked around for his little sister, but she was nowhere to be found.

Before leaving, Mica went back to Elliott's house, looking in on the little boy who was sleeping in his bedroom. Daisy was sleeping at his feet. Mica quietly opened the window and entered the bedroom while a gentle breeze blew in, waking the sleeping pup who perked her head up and saw the angel intruding into her young master's house. Rather than bark to alert the boy of the heavenly woman's presence, the ginger puppy whimpered softly and wagged her tail with excitement upon seeing the angel girl again. Mica approached the bed and petted her, to which Daisy lied down and curled up back into her sleeping position.

Another whimper in the bedroom alerted Mica to look over at the five-year-old boy, who moaned in his sleep as he turned over onto his right side, facing the angel who walked over and stood beside him. Placing her left hand on his head, Mica began stroking Elliott's hair in a comforting manner, like the way a mother does when her child has a bad dream. Her method calmed the child, who sighed contently and stopped squirming.

"I'll be watching over you, little one", Mica whispered, bending over to kiss the sleeping boy's forehead. She then straightened herself and said in a gentle voice, "Be strong, my little warrior." Kissing her index and middle finger, Mica waved her hand over the slumbering child, vanishing into a cloud of glowing doves. Elliott awoke as though he had just come out of a dream, looking around his bedroom and seeing that nobody was there, though he could have sworn that somebody was. Daisy was snoozing at the foot of his bed, which comforted him. He lied down and closed his eyes, turning over onto his left side, feeling a sense of calm wash over him as he drifted back into sleep, unaware that he had been visited by an angel.