Angel left the men behind as she opened the door to the hallway. She left the beautiful library in a distance as she headed back to her room…Hellboy's room.

That fucking idiot.

Angel swiped at her cheeks as the tears rolled down. All these years trapped by a single bracelet and being this close to freedom burned at her. And of course, only one man could release her. But no, she wasn't going to accept this. She'd take care of it herself then. Even if it meant it killing herself. At least she'd be free.

She ignored the people around her as she found her way back to Hellboy's room by memory. She clanked open the door and swung it open. She grunted with effort, but she managed. She stepped in and pulled it back behind her. It clicked. Once it registered that she was alone, minus the cats milling around, she burst into tears. Sobbing to the point she almost couldn't breathe.

I could've been free.

She took a few steps backwards, turned, and then fell to her knees. Wrapping her arms around herself, she let the tears flow. Too many thoughts floated around in her head but when she looked down to see her bracelet, her mind went blank. She only had one thought as she lifted her wrist.

I'm going to be free.

She took a breath and then pain flared. Her back arched as a pair of large pure white wings sprang from her back. She didn't scream as her wrist burned. The bracelet glowed hot. Thirty seconds passed by then another thirty. Her wings had been out for a minute and her wrist bubbled with burns. Angel knew she was putting herself at risk of death but freedom from her own chains were more important. But because of the intensity of the pain, she had to do something.

So, she began to bang on the floor, hoping that it might shatter to pieces. But it didn't do anything except become hotter. She continued to hit the floor, stifling her screams.


"Are you really that dense, Hellboy?" Abe spoke as they watched the library door swing shut.

Hellboy groaned in reply as he put his head in his hands. He really felt stupid, "Fucking shit."

His voice was muffled but Abe heard him. He let out a small smile.

"Good. I'm glad you know how stupid you are, so I suggest you go after her," Abe said as he turned back to the table where he had last set his large tomes.

"I'm not sure she'd want to see me right now," Hellboy said, lifting his head up. "She's pretty pissed at me."

Abe looked back at him, "I can recall few times when Liz would get pissed at you and you'd still chased after her."

Hellboy turned his head. He wasn't happy Abe mentioned Liz, but he understood his point. He nodded then headed off to find Angel. Abe had been right though. Anytime Liz got mad, he'd still chased after her no matter how many times she told him to fuck off. Right then, he realized the depth of his feelings.

It wasn't just sexual. He actually liked her.

Fuck me.

He took his time roaming the hallways hoping he'd just find her, but she didn't seem to be anywhere. He sighed.

"Hey," Hellboy caught the attention of an agent. "Have you seen the girl?"

The agent nodded, "She went to your room."

Hellboy nodded his thanks as he passed the agent. When he finally got to his room, he stopped in front of his door. He wasn't even sure what to do next. With Liz, he always knew. But with Angel…he didn't. She was an entirely different woman. He sighed then put his hands on the door to pull it open. The second it squeaked open; his cats ran out. Surprised, he stepped back. His cats never left the room.

He peered around the door and his eyes widened. All he saw were wings. Beautiful, large, white wings. He stepped in and pulled the door shut. He could hear metal clinking against the hard floor. He went around the wings, not even touching it for fear of it dissipating.

It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in his long life.

As soon as Hellboy rounded the wings, he nearly choked in surprise. Angel on her knees, tears streaking her face, and her arm blistered and red almost to her shoulder. Every time she banged it against the floor, the bracelet sparked.

"Angel!" Hellboy roared as he skidded to his knees in front of her.

She didn't hear him nor see him. She kept banging her wrist.

He grabbed her wrist with his human hand. She pushed him off and kept banging.

"Angel! Stop," Hellboy said as he grabbed her wrist again. Angel tried to pull from his grip, but he tightened his hold. "You've got to stop! You're going to kill yourself."

Angel looked at him and pulled. "Let me go!"

"I can't," Hellboy said.

Angel hit his chest with her other arm. It didn't matter how much or how hard she hit him; he kept a tight hold of her wrist.

"Darlin', you need to pull your wings back," Hellboy said.

Angel shook her head in reply. She pulled hard and her wrist slipped from his hold. There was nothing Hellboy could do to convince her to stop. He watched helplessly as she lifted her wrist and swung it down. He made a split-second decision. Instead of grabbing her wrist again, he brought up both hands and cupped her cheeks. He leaned down so their faces were within a breaths distance and he pressed his lips against hers.

Time almost stood still.

Angel stopped banging, her arm hanging in mid-air. For one second, one long second, neither of them moved. Angel had been shocked into silence. His lips on hers. How she had dreamt of this moment and yet she couldn't move. Her wings fluttered and she let out a sigh. Hellboy pulled back, his hands still on her cheeks.

He watched as her wings folded up then slipped into her back. His eyes moved to meet hers.

"You kissed me."

Hellboy let out a small laugh, "Yeah…I did."