Disclaimer: New disclaimer to go with the new season! Obviously, I don't own Good Omens or its characters, locations, etc., or else I wouldn't have let Neil Gaiman destroy my entire soul. I love the characters he and Terry Pratchett wrote, and I wouldn't change them for the world, except maybe to make them a bit smarter and more observant. But, alas, that's what fanfiction is for.

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Inside I'm Falling Apart

Chapter Three

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It took Aziraphale about two months, in Heaven time, to realize that he fucked up. It was a day like any other, and he was making his way through a pile of paperwork and shoving aside his thoughts about Crowley when the Metatron appeared before him to summon him to a meeting of the higher angels. Aziraphale obliged, appearing before the council to hear what was to be said.

And what was said wasn't what he expected.

"Supreme archangel Aziraphale, Former angel of the Eastern Gate, since you are… in charge now, we have summoned you to review the full plans for the second coming. You have proven your renewed commitment to the wills of Heaven and cast aside your… demon associate, and we have decided it is time to make you aware of Heaven's future plans." Said Michael, grimacing with barely contained resentment though the entire speech.

"Thank you, Archangel Michael." Aziraphale took a seat.

"In approximately five years, Earth standard time, we plan to reveal a second Messiah, one who had already been placed on Earth and is currently seven years old. We plan to reveal him to the world on his twelfth birthday, like…they did with the Antichrist. He will be crucified in the same manner as Jesus, and this will cause a chain reaction that will start World War Three and finally end the nuisance that is Earth."

Aziraphale nearly had to pick his jaw up off the floor. "What do you mean he will be crucified? You're planning the murder of a twelve-year-old boy?

"Yes, Aziraphale, since you and your friend decided to stop the Apocalypse before it even started, new plans had to be made." Michael glanced at him with contempt.

"Why are we planning to end the world again? I thought we had agreed to leave the planet alone after the Apocalypse failed?!"

"The Apocalypse didn't fail, Aziraphale, you stopped it in its tracks! We never agreed to leave the Earth alone, we only agreed not to fight because the boy refused to start things up for us! And that was because of your interference! I understand the Metatron wants you to be in charge, and I will work with you, but do not think that your opinion makes a difference to this council! You will either work with us to bring these plans to fruition or you will leave us to continue without you. And be warned, if you decide to leave, we will not allow you to come back, and you will not stop us this time." Michael nearly spat at him, and Aziraphale squared his shoulders.

"I am the Supreme Archangel, which means I get to make the decisions, and I will not allow you to end life on Earth just because you are upset that the Apocalypse was averted. I worked with Crowley to stop it in its tracks because I don't believe the world should end, and my views haven't changed." He fought back, not willing to give up on his hopes for earth, or for Heaven.

"And I say to you, Aziraphale, that your opinion will not sway this council. These orders come all the way from the top, and you will not stop us this time. Either work with us or leave, but be warned that if you stay here and try to fight against us you will regret it."

"Are you threatening me, Michael?"

"I'm not just threatening you, I'm threatening the world, and your precious demon friend with it."

Aziraphale took a deep breath, shoving his feelings for Crowley down even farther. "You can't do this, Michael."

"I assure you, Aziraphale, that she can." The Metatron boomed down. "These orders are from me, which means they are from God. You would do well not to start speaking blasphemy about Her plans while in Her realm. As Michael said, either help us or leave, but we will not tolerate any treachery from the inside."

Aziraphale nodded his head, making his decision faster than he had ever made a decision in his life. "I will not work toward the destruction of Earth. I am the only being here who has spent any significant time there, enough time to truly appreciate humans, and I refuse to be a part of their destruction." He snapped his fingers and conjured an elevator down to the planet. "One day, I hope, you all will regret what you are doing, and when you do, feel free to come find me. Until then, I want nothing more to do with Heaven or your… awful plans. I will take my leave." He stepped into the elevator and hit the button for Earth, unsure where he was going or what he was going to do when he got there.

He should probably find Crowley, but he wasn't entirely sure the demon would want to talk to him, and he wasn't sure he could handle it currently if he was rejected.

But didn't he deserve it? He had abandoned Crowley after the demon had confessed his love, leaving him in the dust to chase after a dream that he should have known was too good to be true. Crowley deserved better than that.

Aziraphale arrived on Earth with a heavy heart, shooing the angel Muriel out of his shop and back to Heaven (with a few books to read and an invitation to come back for more, he wasn't a monster, and he was sure she would take care of them). He looked around his shop and felt a weight in his chest at the thought of the last time he was here. The shop felt empty without Crowley in it, and he wasn't sure if that was something he could resolve.

He knew that Crowley would have felt his presence the moment he arrived back on Earth, and the fact that he hadn't come immediately sent shivers down Aziraphale's spine. Of course he wouldn't want to come here, not after what Aziraphale had done, but it hurt and he was so very afraid that they could never come back from this.

He searched for Crowley's presence on Earth and found it a long way away. Steeling himself, Aziraphale decided that, since he was the one to break it, he should be the one to try to fix it.