Guardian Angel

Written by,

Brianna Phillips

You Look So Fine

You look so fine

I want to break your heart

And give you mine

You're taking me over

It's so insane

You've got me tethered and chained

I hear your name

And I'm falling over

Knocked down

Cried out

Been down just to find out

I'm through

Bleeding for you

I'm open wide

I want to take you home

We'll waste some time

You're the only one for me

You're taking me over

Over and over

I'm falling over

Over and Over

(Drown in me one more time)

(Hide inside me tonight)

(Do what you want to do)

(Just pretend happy end)

(Let me know)

(Let it show)

(Ending with letting go)

Ending with letting go

Ending with letting go

Let's pretend happy end

Let's pretend happy end...

-Garbage, Version 2.0, Track 012

Chapter One

Collision

Talon walked along the sidewalk, occasionally looking up at the black night sky and twinkling stars, somewhat blocked by the winter clouds that decided to cover them. It seemed like she had been walking hours upon hours, stumbling blindly in the snow, angry and exuberantly upset with the woman she had been in love with for nineteen years, that had selfishly fallen in love with someone else Talon had introduced her to and gotten together with him. With Him! She couldn't believe it. Her lover had gone from straight lesbian to bisexual in a matter of five minutes.

Talon shook her head, frustrated, and furiously crossed the road, too lost in her thoughts to notice the speeding car headed towards her, the man occupying it leaned over the passenger seat, aware he was going straight, not aware of the woman he was about to collide with. He was occupied thumbing through his glove apartment for the Marlboro cigarettes he had expectantly misplaced.

A large gust of wind caught Talon off-balance, resulting in her falling back and slipping on the ice that covered the road, emerald green eyes wide as her knee made contact with the ground, sending horrific pain up her leg and spine. She stumbled upward, looked in terror as the car headed straight for her, hitting her lower body first, tossing her into the windshield and then pummeling her to the ground, bloody and unconscious, broken bones on fire, hurting her senseless on the outside and inside, despite her unconsciousness.

The man in the car gasped at the unexpected accident. He sat there for moments, staring at the bloodied person on the ground. They were laying in a heap, clearly knocked out, unaware of what was going on around them, mostly likely of the car that had hit them and why. He clearly decided to speed away as fast as he could, vowing to pay attention every time he was driving on the back roads, promising to get his car repaired as soon as possible. Neither of the two noticed the lone figure swoop out of the shadows and kneel beside the fallen woman. Black angel wings spread wide, raven hair flowing about broad shoulders and well constructed armor, black pants and built figure, crystal blue eyes staring sadly at the helpless form, life disappearing quickly without notice.

Rain scooped the woman into her powerful arms and took flight to go back to the church where she had been living since her new life among heaven's angels.

Chapter Two

Awakening

Rain set the grotesque looking woman on the altar, placing her hands over her chest, summoning her supreme power of giving life to one that is on the verge of extinction. Her hands began to glow bright green as she supported them over the wounds, spreading her black wings into the air unconsciously, tears running down her cheeks as the room began to spin and her life force became drained.

The woman's eyes flew open with a jolt and she gasped for the air that she hadn't known she was breathing. Her chest heaved, firm breasts moving, legs seperating, eyes focusing finally on the angel that was slumped beside her, growing wider.

Talon could not understand what was going on and where she was, who the hell had rescued her from whatever had knocked her unconscious. The last thing she remembered was walking in the road, slipping and hitting her knee and then seeing large lights. The rest, was a blank.

She adjusted herself, sitting up, gasping when she felt absolutely no pain at all. Surely, she had to have a bruise. She pulled up the leg of her khaki pants and searched her legs for any sign of bruises. She had no recollection of the accident or how to help the angel that had fallen down on the floor, black wings covering a well-muscled form. She was wide awake now, aware that she was sitting on an altar, in a dark church, what one she was not positive of. She had never really gone to church her whole life, only to marriages that had taken place during her childhood and occasionally Sunday School sessions, which she despised, it took off her time to roam free during the weekend.

No matter how hard she tried, she could not get the pieces of the puzzle together. This was all so bizarre in her conscience. Why would an angel rescue her? What was the angel doing on earth? Was this all just a dream? Was she dead? She couldn't halt the questions that were rapidly flowing through her mind. She decided to try and get some sleep, though the stone of the altar was fairly uncomfortable. Moments later, she was fast asleep, her dreams expressionless.

Chapter Three

Explanation

Rain shook her head to clear it, silently cursing how the affects that draining her life for others affected her health. She slowly raised herself, noticing that the woman she had rescued was wide awake and staring directly at her, beautiful face slightly pale, green eyes wide as a cherry tomato. Of course, Rain was used to this response, whenever she did aid someone they stared at her in complete awe, unsure of what to say or do.

"You're... awake," Talon whispered, voice soft, somehow not echoing in the damp church that had, in truth, been shut down for over five years now. It was never used and Rain had found it a very suitable place to settle down in. She had been located there for a long time now, helping others as much as she could. She knew the news she would report to the woman she had saved may not settle in properly. She decided to inform her later on, after they had gotten to be familiar with each other.

"I'm sorry about that. I was a little sore from a few errands I had run before. Are you feeling all right?" Rain asked, blue eyes kind, angelic face glowing in the faint light that shined down on the two of them.

"Physically, yes. Mentally, no. A million questions are pummeling through my mind that I hope you can answer," Talon said, cocking her head slightly, cracking her sore neck that had been rsting too long on the stone below her.

Rain shook her head in disbelief. She should have lain the woman somewhere more comfortable. She frowned and waved her hand, smiling when a soft pillow appeared. It caused the woman to jump slightly, but then, as expected, to crawl onto it and rest her weight on the sweet softness.

"You can ask me anything you want," Rain drawled, spreading her black wings, stretching as a yawn poured itself from her lips. She was still a bit drowsy from her earlier experience.

"I want to know what happened to me before you... somehow saved me," Talon said, shifting her small form, waiting for the answer she was about to hear.

"You were in a car accident. Many of your bones were broken. When you landed, you were barely alive. The man in the car sped away, he was too scared to save you. I had no choice," Rain whispered, blue eyes slightly painful at the memory. She was oblivious as to why the man didn' t come to the young woman' s aid.

Talon’s mind became uncomfortable and saddened. She couldn’t believe that the “man in the car” hadn’t seen her in the middle of the road. As she remembered, the headlights were bright enough to blind her momentarily and should have spotted her from a fair enough distance, enough for him to swerve and avoid hitting her. Just what was he doing in the car? Purposefully hitting her? She knew that she had no enemies. Okay, maybe a few. But, not any that she was mean enough to that would purposefully hit her in the middle of the night. He seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

Rain noticed the pain and sorrow in the younger woman’s eyes and sighed wearily, keeping her emotions under control, although they were spinning around her brain cells, resulting in deep concern and pain. She could feel the mixture of the emotions radiating through the woman’s mind. It must have been horrible. Truly a tragedy for the young woman who’s life had almost been stolen by a man who was too stupid to keep his eye on the road, not pondering at all that someone could have been in the middle of the road that he could and would end up colliding with. She shook her head in disbelief, but focused her attention now on her new responsibility.

“What did you do to me? You said I was almost killed!” Talon exclaimed, waving her hands through the air, still confused about what was going on around her.

“I gave you a part of my life to recover your health,” Rain explained, not completing the information, totally having knowledge of the fact that if she did tell this young woman everything, she would be even more frantic and upset.

“Where did you come from? I don’t even know you. I never have!” Talon exclaimed, withdrawing from the angel that had saved her life, still very conscious of her presence.

Rain hated the treatment she was receiving, she had just saved this woman’s existence, losing some of her own! She wanted to answer calmly, but found herself with an edge in her voice, not one of anger, but one of hurt.

“I died a long time ago, long before you or anyone else in this age was born. I joined heaven’s legion and became an archangel. I was given a code name, which I use during the present days. Would you like to know it?”

Talon slipped off the pillow and fluffed it higher, only to settle back on it and nod her head without a word, blond hair shifting as she did so. Rain couldn’t help but think about how beautiful the young woman she had saved looked when she moved a certain way.

“Currently it is Rain. Sometimes my father bothers me to change it, although I don’t accept. This name has become mine and will remain mine for an eternity,” Rain answered, adjusting her position, tucking her warm wings around her, smiling as the silky softness of them tickled her cheeks. To her, it felt normal. To a mortal, it would be the softest touch they would ever experience.

“It’s a beautiful name. Mine is Talon. I never thought that I would see or be aided by an angel, especially one so kind and thoughtful. Thank you for saving my life, Rain.”

Rain nodded, knowing what was coming next. They all gave her excuses, saying they had to leave her, saying they weren’t ready for a life with someone so pure, someone so kind living such a dangerous life, helping people no matter what the costs. This woman would do the same, although she would come back to her when the changes began to occur.

“I need to get back home, Rain. I’m afraid I’ve lost track of time and need to check in at work, after I compose myself. To tell you the truth, I would like to know more about you. I’ll come back when I am able,” Talon said, stirring, picking herself up off the altar. She had no idea of directions and blushed slightly, uncomfortable.

Rain noticed and chuckled softly. “I’ll fly you back,” she simply said, raising herself off the ground, spreading her wings, indicating that the younger woman should hop up into her powerful arms.

“Oh, no, I don’t think I can do that. I am afraid of heights. Simple directions would be fine,” Talon spoke, once again backing away, not wanting to be so high up in the air, she imagined that Rain would not want to be spotted by any stray people that would possibly be strolling around the small city.

“I’ll stay low to the ground. You will just have to close your eyes,” Rain said, holding out her arms, smiling when the younger woman kindly accepted, wrapping small hands around a tanned neck, touching silken skin, so soft that she let out a small gasp and found herself leaning into the touch, mesmerized by how protected she felt, scared of how much she was enjoying being so close. They set out of the church, now invisible to anyone else that was walking along the world, thanks to the supreme powers that angels of Rain’s status possessed.

Chapter Four
Home

Talon arrived home at seven the next morning, clearly late for work once again. She knew her producers would be pissed off, there was no doubt about that concept.

Rain stood in awe at the house that Talon was located in. It was one of the largest she had seen in all her millions on top of thousands years of living. The curtains were a faint blue, the smooth wood painted a shining white, the windows clear as the sky, pillars marking the entrance, and four steps positioned below and between them. The driveway was long, cemented, the usual dark gray color. Layered snow lain over the grass which covered the corners of the spectacle, front and back, and served as a beautiful view of the city buildings.

Talon waved her hand in front of the awestruck angel, smiling as the blue eyes dropped slightly and looked down at the woman she was still holding tightly in her arms. She was set down and she smiled when she felt the soft grass brush her shoes. She had missed the feeling of the ground, the feeling of being outside, the wind in her hair, the cold chilling her bones.

The two were unsure of what to say for their parting words, before Rain spread her wings and flew off. Neither of them knew how to be honest with each other quite yet, although Rain knew what was to come and that she would definitely be seeing the younger woman again, when the time came for the changes to take place.

“Thank you for all that you have done,” Talon finally murmured, smiling politely, turning to leave but stopping when she felt a firm grip on her arm.

“If you need anything of me, just close your eyes and speak my name. I’ll hear it,” Rain suggested, sighing when she thought about how her name definitely would positively be called by the smaller woman when she noticed that her physical strength, appearance and status was alternating.

“Okay,” Talon softly said, squeezing the angel’s hand, smiling at the comforting responsive squeeze she received in return. She watched as Rain’s invisibility once again took place, both of them unaware of the staring eyes and click of the camera, flashing a second before Rain disappeared and took to flight.

Chapter Five

Ding dong, the boss is dead!

Talon shifted her car into reverse and backed out of the garage and driveway, now freshly dressed, it had taken her an hour to prepare herself for work. She hadn't even had time for her regular breakfast meal, but found herself strangely unable to devour any food. She just was not hungry this morning, but pinned it down as the logical explanation of the car crash. After anyone had been in one and survived, she didn't tbink they would be that hungry.

Once she arrived at Channel Five Landslide News Addition, where she worked, she met up with her collegue, Renaard, who was deeply conerned, but also very annoyed. He shot questions at her with his loud mouth, asking where had she been, what had she been doing, why the hell hadn't she shown up, why did she put him in such an awkward position. He thoroughly explained how he had to double his work and speeches, allowing a goofy explanation to the people as to why she was not at work, sitting next to him.

"I had something more important than work to do Ren... I'm so sorry," she said, lowering her head in shame, feeling deeply sorry for putting her semi-friend in such a lousy dilemma.

"Well, I'm sure Tucker wants to talk to you. He was even more agressive than I was. He was rambling on about canning your ass, throwing you out in the streets and keeping you there. He was very angry. This is the second time you have pulled a stunt like this in a month. Last time it was a lame excuse, so you better have a good one this time or else he's going to fire you. Permanently," Renaard warned, straightening his back, standing an inch taller than Talon, same green eyes but a thinner looking face, stubble on his chin, athletic looking body, though he never worked out or played sports.

"When are we on the air?" Talon asked, shifting her weight, unable to hide her depression. She had no idea what she was going to say to Tucker. He was always a hardass to her, pushing her around when he pleased, telling her to do this and that, even run some of his errands whenever he was on vacation or sick at home, taking care of the "wife and kids", which were nonexistent as far as she was concerned. Not once had she seen them, not even at the dinner and holiday parties that were always taking place at his own home.

"In a few minutes, which gives you jsut enough time to talk to Tucker. Don't blow it this time, Talon. It absolutely means your job, which means the money you earn. No way you can afford that fancy joint of yours without it. Now, get going. Make him proud, not dissappointed," Renaard urged, pushing her forward with his rough hands, ones that had touched her in many sexual ways, although she really did not want to think about that right now. It was a long time ago, before she had discovered her ex-girlfriend, a time when she desperately needed someone to hold her and make tender love to her, which Ren had provided.

"All right, all right," Talon murmured, vaguely annoyed as she walked down the long hallway to Tucker's office, noticing that the door was open, gulping when she peeked her head in, sighing with relief when she realized that Tucker's back was turned to her, and his hands weren't clasped together. If they were, that meant that he was still holding a humongous grudge, which defintely meant her whole life would be metamorphed into disaster.

"I'm really sorry about not showing up to work last night, sir. The traffic was flooded, the snow caused accidents, my parents wanted to speak to me face to face about a problem that I have been encountering," she lied, hoping that her face didn't give her away, although he couldn't see it, she knew that he was going to spin around in his chair to face her and study her face for a few minutes, his large brown eyes focused on her expressions, large hands grasping each other, death stance radiating his wirey points.

To Talon's surpise, he did not turn around. She furrowed her brows and stepped into the room, fake coughing loud enough for him to hear, even more shocked when he still did not turn around.

Wary beyong control, Talon stepped further into the room and spun the chair around, screaming at the top of her lungs when she saw that Tucker was dead. His eyes were closed, his hands covering his chest, his legs heaped in a very odd way. He was in no way breathing, his face as pale as the sheets she slept in.

Renaard and the staff came running in, all of them letting out gasps of surprised and muffled "Oh my god!"'s. This incident both pleased and hurt many of Tucker's employers. Word spread fast around the whole building, causing someone to finally dial up the nearest ambulance. Work became very hectic, the expected new show was put into a re-run,there was absolutely no way any of the crew could pull themselves together and run a future episode.

The crew was sent home, every single one upset. Things were definitely never going to be the same for the members of Channel Five Landslide News Edition.

Chapter Six

Emotions

Talon drove home furiously, only thinking about how stupd she had been to confront Tucker like that. She should have waited for him to come to her, instead of barging in on him like that. Was she the one that caused him to have a heart attack? The doctors from the hospital said he hadn't been dead very long.

She shook her head, holding back the tears that were threatening to flow. None of this made sense. She had no answers. None. Was there a way to get any?

Talon almost got in an accident as her eyes lit up with knowledge. She slammed on the bakes just in time, ignoring the honking that cascaded around her. Rain! Rain could give her the answers to the questions she needed to embark over. As soon as she got home, she would perform the task that Rain had specifically told her to. She would close her eyes and speak her name.

Talon sped up the car and flew past her driveway into the garage, being careful not to hit anything on the way. She practically broke the door in half as she got out of it, holding out her keys, turning the lock and running upstairs to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

At last, she closed her eyes and spoke Rain's name very softly. She suddenly felt a faint breeze, but ignored it as her eyes remained closed, unconscious of the presence that was now standing before her. Only did she move, when she felt the softest touch she had ever felt caressing her cheek. She leaned into it, inviting it and opened her eyes to see glorious blue eyes and the face that she had found herself comforted by.

"Rain," she said, still unable to back away from the touch that was continuing its exploration of her face.

"You called, Talon," Rain whispered, gently pulling her hand away, furling her wings at her back.

"My boss, Tucker... He died today. I wanted to ask you a few questions about that," Talon said, now aware of the memory that had stuck itself upon her mind for the past hours.

"What is it that you want to know?" Rain asked, in her usual emotionless voice, a voice that Talon found herself captured by, despite the lack of change in it. The voice of Rain always seemed to mean business.

"Why he died!" Talon said, her tone serious, a hint of rage indicated in it.

"You wouldn't understand," Rain answered, turning away, staring out at the hint of stars far above in the sky. They looked beautiful on winter nights, only when the clouds were thin enough to expose a few of those precious gems.

"Try me! After all, I understood what happened to me when you rescued me. You drained part of your life to save my own. Being an angel it is a gift of yours is it not? A power that no one but a being of your quality can obtain. Don't tell me I am wrong, because we both know that would be a lie," Talon urged, stepping forward so her front was gently brushing the feathers of black wings, now slightly spread.

"It's no ones decision whether they live or die. It can happen anytime, any place. You can't halt it unless it is meant to be changed. I did what I did because I knew that it wasn't the time for your picture to be located in the obituary section."

"Then who decides? I don't have any answers except the ones that you have provided me with and I have so much more to ask you. You have to tell me, Rain. I am so confused and when I am confused I am a frustrated, helpless idiot. Now, please... Tell me why he died," Talon repeated, placing a firm hand on the angel's shoulder, wincing at the coldness of the metal shoulderplate. She wondered how Rain found it so easy to walk and hold her weight in such heavy armor, forged from the most decent metal that only heaven itself could wield.

"You wouldn't understand," Rain snapped back, not wanting to tell the truth, knowing it might affect the friendship that was steadily increasing with the new encounter of the woman she had rescued.

"You keep repeating that. What do you think, Rain? That I am a child? Some toy that you can jerk around? I want answers! Please, give them to me!" Talon pleaded, her voice showing its slight pain.

"We decide," Rain whispered, lips trembling, making sure her tone was low enough that they both could barely hear.

"We? As in you and me?" Talon asked, now very confused.

"No, not you and me.... Me and all the other angels that walk the earth. We witness tragedies beyong any of your nightmares. Right then we decide who lives and who dies. It takes a split second for us to see their future. If it's worthy, we save them... If it isn't... we let them... let them die," Rain murmured, regret clear as the words slipped past her tongue and out into the cold air.

Talon looked away, the hurt clearly expressed on her youthful face. "I..."

"Don't speak," Rain said, moving suddenly closer to the younger woman, putting wo fingers to her chin and turning her head so emerald eyes met crystal blue.

Talon blinked as a gentle finger stroked her lips. She closed her eyes in amazement as tingles of pleasure whispered to her brain, walking stairs up her shivering body.

"I was once... like you," Rain spoke, very softly, withdrawing her fingers, averting her majestic eyes when Talon opened her own and looked at her saddened face.

"Tell me what happened..."

"I was inside the castle. We were celebrating the King's second marriage, his first wife had received a sickness that proved fatal. I was one of his majesty's guards. I had always been a warrior, always loved the heat of battle, only then did I feel truly alive. Although, back then, I was nothing but a monster. Someone who's only thought was to kill. I was selfish to the bone. Inside, perhaps sometimes, I was ashamed. I knew killing was wrong but the thought never registered fully. I enjoyed killing others, so why stop doing it?"

Talon sighed deeply, finding herself picturing the scene, Rain with a helmet and spear, sharp looking armor that suited her well-muscled body and most likely always would. Then there was the King, a little old in his age, wearing a hearty golden crown, holding his present wife's hand, joking to his friends as they sipped ale and chatted about what was to come. Somehow, she was there. There in the past.

Rain watched as Talon closed her eyes. The younger woman was in the past now. It was a gift Rain could never alter. Whenever she told the tale, magic clouded the others brain and took them to the moment. As of now, there was nothing she could do but go on with her tale.

"A faint noise caught my attention. The balcony doors were open. That is where the faint ringing came from. It sounded like steel hitting rock. Anyway, I decided to investigate. No one noticed as I slipped out onto the balcony and peered over the edge. A fist connected with my jaw and I was sent stumbling back, my helmet falling off and clanging onto the ground with a loud ring. Before I could draw my sword, I was cut across the belly with a knife strong enough to cut through my armor. I fell to the floor with a thud, my raven hair clouded about my waist, now soaked in the blood that was gushing from the wound and spilling out in a dirty pool under my dying limbs. The castle was under siege. The King had been betrayed by his own brother, who sneered when he saw his troops approaching, killing all the guards and men in sight, though I hardly noticed, my ears were ringing so loud I could only hear that dreadful sound. "

Rain paused, remembering, hearing the weird sounds and feeling her world fading to blackness. Sighing deeply at the memory, she continued her story.

"I saw someone standing over me. At that moment, I grew very confused. I didn't know who it was, what it was doing standing over my limp, trembling body. I faintly felt a hand touch my neck and suddenly all my strength was regained. I felt alive again, like a fire was quenched deep inside of me. I felt like a titan. More of the angels were swoooping down on the balcony, prepared to ward off the evil henchmen that were attempting to take over the castle. No one knew where they come from, they appeared out of nowhere and began to defend the castle. A battle took place for over three hours, angels against humans, humans battling angels, humans fighting humans. By midnight, we had defeated them all. Even the King's brother, who lay in a heap on the dining table, his blood marked on the food that lay under him. From that day on, nothing was ever the same. A week later, I had been transformed into one of them. My wings were sprouting, my back was in a fiery pain that shook my whole body into deadly tremors. My appetite was changing, whenever the King offered me fruit or wine, I kindly did not accept. I stayed low and tried to hide the changes. But, I couldn't. They were too large. I went to sleep one night and awoke in the most beautiful place I had ever seen. Green grass, warm sun with a breeze cool enough to tickle your skin... I was in heaven... and that was where I stayed until it was time to meet my mentor, who taught me all I know now. Do you understand?"

Talon nodded her head uneasily. This morning she had skipped her normal breakfast because she wasn't famished. Nor was she now. Her eyes wide, she looked at Rain, half glaring, half-shocked. "You...!"

Rain backed away to the wall as a menacing finger was thrust to her neck.

"You changed me? Talon exclaimed, gripping Rain by the collor of her armor, yanking her face forward until it was inches from her own.

"I had no choice! You have to understand the position I was-"

"NO! YOU have to understand! I have a life! All right? I have a healthy job, a healthy life and I am not about to let some stubborn angel interfere with that!" Talon confessed, her voice filled with tight rage. The nerve of this... woman to do this to her! To her!

Rain shook her head, turning her blue eyes away from the angry smaller woman's. The last thing she wanted was to let the situation spin out of control. "If it was not for me you would not even have a life! You would be on the other side! Away from family, away from work, away from life on earth!"

Talon stepped back, still angry, but her face looking comprehendable enough for Rain to lay a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I am sorry that it had to end up this way, Talon. Believe me," Rain begged, blue eyes pleading with pain.

"What happens to me now...?" Talon asked, her voice soft, yet soothing to the angel's ears.

"Since I put so much life force into you, the changes will occur quicker. You have to lay low for a couple days. Come to the church with me. Please," Rain pleaded, gripping the smaller woman's shoulder tightly.

"I... I want to stay here. In my home. I don't like churches, Rain. I never was involved with them," Talon admitted, shrugging away her shoulder as she walked to the edge of the bed, emotions hurling themselves in different directions, from angry, to despair, to hate, to pain, to anger, to neutral. As hard as it was to keep them in check, she seemed to be doing a fairly good job, considering the terms of the alteration happening to her. The amenity of her consciousness was cloudy, flooded. Fogged, you could add.

Rain only nodded, staring at the ground, unfurling her wings, stretching them and her arms as she sat down on the plush carpet, making herself comfortable. She wanted to be there when the affects began to take place on the younger woman. She wanted to tell Talon that the future ahead of her was bright, full of love, passion and comfort. But, there was always a darkside... Tragedy, terror, disdain, accidents... The choice between right and wrong. The chances of the person dying having a happy life after their incident or living in misery. The choices every individual angel had to make were never easy. It was difficult in the purest ways imaginable. Even if the person was going to have a healthy life, something even more painful then their death currently at hand could happen to them later, and that meant leaving them to die now, rather then to suffer worse later. Choices like that, Rain would say, were the deepest diseases. She knew the weight that plagued Talon's composure was extremely heavy. The littlest of disaster would set her emotions to a climax that was shameful to bear. She could not corroborate them.

"Rain...?" Talon asked, softly cupping the angel's cheek, wiping away a tear that had absently fallen, capturing it before it fled down her face. She had been watching the angel brood the whole time, trying to read her thoughts, unable to without the gift that would soon be delivered to her.

"Talon... I..." Rain stammered, trying to pull back her emotions as she stared at the woman she was deeply beginning to care for more than anyone she had in the past years that she had lived. She had never had so unique a friend, one she never wanted to lose.

"Shh... Please, don't cry..." Talon murmured, soothing stroking her older companion's cheek with the pad of her thumb, surrounded with sensations at how soft the skin felt under her own, how delicate it seemed.

"Talon... Forgive me," Rain spoke the words before they could halt themselves, now her own emotions easily corrupting her brain cells.

"No... forgive me... I should have never argued. This is obviously my destiny. My fate. To be next to you, judging things that are within our reach," Talon argued, her voice continuing its soft comfort, hand moving until her fingers were tracing the outline of the beautiful angel's face. She found herself mesmerized by the beauty she found there, the thin raven eyebrows, the baby blue eyes, the full lips (slightly pouting now). The round chin, the high cheekbones, the black bangs covering a well designed forehead and most of all, her entire face. So majestic. So kind. So... loving.

Talon, unable to resist, leaned forward, closing her eyes, not aware of what she was doing until she felt nervous lips brush her own, a featherlight touch that ignited heat far beyond her center. She felt unsure hands wrap around her neck, a wet tongue weave its way across her top lip, teeth nibbling tenderly, as if not to hurt her.

"Talon," Rain exhaled, pulling her face back, opening her eyes, focusing her pools of blue on green windows, which were rapidly blinking. The kiss had left both of the women breathless, chests heaving, minds reeling.

"That was... amazing..." Talon stuttered, rubbing her cheek against the older woman's, smiling when she felt an active response.

Rain couldn't believe what was happening. Part of the fact she coudln't decipher was why she had enjoyed the tender moment so much. She had never felt this way for a mortal, the kiss was enough to yearn for another one and fast. The other part, was that she wasn't suppose to be involved in such a relationship. Although angels were allowed to love freely, to her it just did not seem right. She was the one that had changed this younger woman's life or the worse. Yes, some of it was for the better. But, the con's definitely deeated the pro's! In her eyes, anyway. And, now, both of them were falling in love with each other. Disaster! Rediculous disaster!

"What's wrong?" Talon asked, sensing rejection, scared of the fact that maybe Rain had never been involved with other women. She feared she had made a huge mistake and that she was going to lose the person that had saved her from death's headlock.

Rain tried to think of an explanation, but found herself looking away, hurt and shameful of what she had just done. She should have pulled away in the first place, if she had none of this would have happened. She began to curse at herself.

Talon hugged her knees, furious with herself. Now she had blown evrything out of proportion! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

As both of them were scolding themselves, Rain felt a sharp jolt on her spine and watched in terror as her body began to fade.

"Rain?!" Talon exclaimed, reaching out for her friend, gasping when her hands went right through the angel's fading image.

"Talon!" Rain called, her voice sounding so close but also far away.

"Rain! Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaain!" Talon cried out, wrapping her arms arond air, staring in disbelief at the place where the older woman was just sitting. It was empty.

Chapter Seven