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The Heartstring Symphony	By : Esequell Category: G through L > Legion Views: 1651 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Legion and I'm making no money from this fanfic.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
A/N - OK, this sucker has been an effort. There's always at least one chapter in any multi chap fanfic that's a real beach, so I hope you appreciate all I go through for your kicks :P And mine ;) Enjoy.
19.12.15 - Just having a little edit of this chapter. Unfortunately I've been very busy with other writing, so updates for this wont be as fast as I'd like but I'll do my best :)

2. The Zombie Embers
'Michael!' Audrey exclaimed as she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. His familiar smell, like high, cold stone places and morning freshness was opposite to Gabriel's midnight sensuality. It reminded her painfully of her Mom and Dad and made her tear up. She remembered how Michael had broken his assurance that he was only at the diner to protect the saviour, wading into the throng of possessed to pull her from the burning car. Audrey was grateful he had, and grateful to see him.
'Now, that's a lovely greeting,' Michael murmured, his warm breath disturbing her hair. Audrey's throat burned until her tears spilled over, forcing her to relinquish him and wipe with her fingertips. Michael took her by the elbows, where he rubbed reassuring circles into her bare skin.
'I'm so sorry,' he said. 'You and your family were casualties of war, but that doesn't make it right. I'm not proud of it, Audrey. If you can bear to forgive me-'
Audrey crumpled, hiding the ugly smile she made when she cried behind her hands. Audrey didn't doubt his sincerity because he looked like he might cry too.
'I've made it fresh again, I'm sorry.'
'It's OK. It's just...too soon. To talk about it.'
Michael returned her to his embrace, resting his smooth chin on her temple.
'I'm glad you're here,' Audrey coughed pathetically behind her hand. 'It might not look like it,' she tried her best to joke. 'But I am.'
'I didn't mean to take so long but there were...complications. He was not happy.'
Audrey wiped her damp hands on her skirt. She was about to ask about God when she smelled Gabriel's scent and realised he was standing right behind them.
'Michael,' Gabriel rumbled like a storm. Audrey saw Gabriel's gaze drop and check Michael's hands. She thought he must be looking for a weapon. Gabriel's brow knitted, as though he was confused.
'He sent you to kill me,' Gabriel said quietly.
'No. No, that's not why I'm here.'
'Then why?' Gabriel stopped, staring at Michael's bare throat. 'Where is your collar, Brother?'
Michael bit his lip, looking guilty. 'I'm...relieved...of its burden.'
Audrey hadn't noticed the unweathered ring of skin at Michael's throat, but now Gabriel mentioned it, it looked like he'd worn this "collar" for some time. She sensed the electric tension between the two angels. It made her anxious. Then Gabriel advanced, his face twisting in rage.
'Gabriel, no!' Audrey yelled. Michael's attention flickered over Audrey. She couldn't tell if he was worried for her safety, or his own.
'Brother!' Michael said warningly, trying to placate Gabriel by holding his hands up in surrender. Gabriel grabbed them and shoved Michael away. Michael backed up a few steps, his head bowed in contrition, but Audrey noticed no matter how sorry he looked, he was still watching for Gabriel's next move.
'I know your anger, Gabriel,' Michael said calmly. 'I'm not asking to be forgiven.'
'You'll split Heaven apart!' Gabriel yelled, reminding Audrey of why she'd found him so intimidating at first.
Gabriel grabbed Michael.
'I'm sorry,' Michael said. 'Listen to me. Gabriel!'
Gabriel quickly lost control of the fight for their hands and Audreys guts did an uncomfortable flip. Gabriel's skin was ashy and pale. Audrey was worried he might overdo it and hurt himself.
'I'll never forgive you for this,' Gabriel threatened. 'You've betrayed Him. And me. I need you in Heaven, not following my sin.'
'I don't need you to set your fine example, Gabriel. I can manage sin just fine on my own.'
'I've noticed,' Gabriel said, his eyebrow arched. 'You do everything on your own. You left me behind,' Gabriel searched his brothers eyes. 'You didn't tell me your plan.'
Michael chewed his lip, his eyes suddenly full of sadness that Audrey thought was palpable.
'For that I am sorry. I meant only to protect you, Gabriel.'
'But you didn't!' Gabriel snarled like a whiplash. 'And I won't forgive you.'
Michael dropped Gabriel's wrists. Audrey winced at the way Gabriel swayed. She'd often imagined him in a white robe, regal and beautiful and powerful. He looked too broken and tired to be powerful now.
'Then you'll break my heart,' Michael said thickly.
'And you'll know one tenth of my pain,' Gabriel said coldly as he backed into the shadow of the rocks.
Audrey folded her arms and gave Michael an expression of sympathy.
oOo
Audrey followed Gabriel's tracks. He looked like a giant, resting crow, crouched in an impossible position with his thick fingers knitted together, his forearms on his bent knees in the shadows by the spring.
'Are you OK?' Audrey asked.
Gabriel huffed like an irritated bull. His feathers rustled.
'Why do you care so much? Hmm?' he challenged, cracking his knuckles one by one. 'Michael the great protector is here to guard you. Go to him.'
Audrey folded her arms, irritated by his sulkiness.
'Fine,' Audrey said, turning to leave. She was too hot, uncomfortable and heart sick to deal with this side of Gabriel. He stood up suddenly, tucking his wings back. Audrey felt like his heavy lidded laser eyes were scorching her face.
'You don't know him like I do,' Gabriel said, approaching her slowly. Audrey fidgeted nervously. Gabriel was all coiled tension, thick muscle and anger. She didn't like him when he was annoyed. He frightened her. 'He'll manipulate you. Turn you to whatever stupid plan he's got in his mind. Turn you away from Him and damn your soul.'
'I don't believe any of that,' Audrey met his gaze, her cheeks hot. Why did she always feel like Gabriel was looking past her skin, into her soul? He bent a little.
'You should. It's His Word,' Gabriel said. 'I turned cities into salt, set them on fire. I watched Rameses drown the children. I carried the Word to an eleven year old girl because He chose her to have his child. Who you gonna believe, hmm? The TV. Or me?'
Audrey trembled. Gabriel lifted her chin with two very gentle fingers.
'You believe me.'
Audrey couldn't breathe properly. Her body was betraying her with chills and inappropriate heat. She almost stumbled on the rocks as she fled into the bright sun and kept walking, afraid to look back in case Gabriel turned her into a pillar of salt too.
oOo
Gabriel rubbed his thumb and forefinger together. He could still feel the heat of Audrey's skin and it reminded him of Mary. He wanted to fly but his wings were heavy. He wanted a fight but he was tired. He wanted Audrey to look at him without fear but he wouldn't let her go astray. His heart burned with his frustration and private grief.
He could still smell the salt baking in the summer heat. His could still hear the screams of mothers and children, his skin knew the feeling of red river water lapping at his ankles. Tears left cold tracks on his cheeks as Moses' basket floated by.
He was back in the tents that smelled of spices and goat meat, sitting on the edge of Mary's bed, smiling at her, trying to make her feel more comfortable as he told her what the Father had sent him to do. She blushed and looked at her feet but when he reached for her to tempt her body into agreement, she kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around his neck, trusting him to lead even though God was asking too much of her.
Her hair smelled of sand and musk. Her own scent. She had the flared hips Gabriel liked and her breasts were just right for his hands. She giggled with him in the dark, enjoying his carnal attention as much as he enjoyed hers.
On the third night, her scent was different. Gabriel knew the Father would call him home now his work was done, and though he didn't want to leave Mary, he obeyed. Gabriel came back around his duties to watch her body change shape. Thin, pink lines appeared on her growing belly. While she slept, he stood invisible in the corner, watching the movement under her skin and yearning to hold her.
Much later, Gabriel trembled while his grown son bled. When the soldiers flipped the cross to crush Jesus' face, Gabriel lifted it off the ground. For three minutes the crucifix levitated before the uneasy crowd. Then the soldiers found a rope to haul it up.
In a final act of cruelty, He closed the boy's ears to Gabriel's voice, and his whispered comfort went unheard until one, merciful man took up a spear and ended it.
Gabriel's anger covered Heaven in a storm that lasted a week. God hid, refusing to speak. It took every archangel left in Heaven to keep Gabriel from action. The merciful soldier lived a hundred and twenty years. Gabriel made sure of that.
He still loved Mary, still mourned her. A little piece of immortality for the girl chosen by God.
'Maybe you were right to cast me down,' Gabriel said bitterly to the sky. 'But then again, you were always cruel.'
I gave you a gift, whispered the wind in response. I let you love her.
'No,' Gabriel spat, denying that love could be a gift when it was taken so swiftly.
God filled his mind with images of Audrey's bare skin and he tensed, his skin gone cold in fear. The Father knew what Gabriel had been imagining, and it played out in his minds eye until Gabriel burst out; 'Don't hurt her! I beg you. Command me if you want, but don't punish the girl for my sin.'
Gabriel saw blood. Audrey screamed in his skull. Gabriel couldn't breathe. Then a subtle light shot up in the sky and left Gabriel alone and trembling.
oOo
Audrey and Michael walked side by side through the oasis. Michael's feathers brushed the foliage and Audrey felt grateful for the shade of the palm trees. She thought it was amazing they'd grown so fast, but she wasn't keen to meet the God who'd made them.
'I don't get it,' she said. 'I thought he'd be happy to see you. All he said while he was sick was Michael, Michael.'
'Gabriel suspected me,' Michael said quietly, like a confession. 'He could always read me so easily. I didn't tell him my plan for the baby. I knew he'd try and stop me and if he couldn't...he'd follow me to Earth. He thinks I've thrown away Father's last chance. Have you ever known something in your heart? I mean known it with everything you are. Something you have to do, Audrey?'
'Yes,' she whispered, thinking of her battle to survive the desert.
Michael smiled gently. 'Gabriel is going to be pissed off when he finds out I'm not here alone.'
Dark tents stood in a clearing. They were made of heavy fabric that stirred minimally the desert wind. A very tall angel with wavy blond hair came to meet them, and handed Audrey a bundle of clothes with a smile. He was much younger than Michael and he had a natural gentleness in his handsome face that Audrey instantly liked.
'Hello, Audrey,' he said. 'I'm Raphael. You can call me Raf. Fellow mad bugger to this sickly old bird.'
Michael's wings mantled, making him look like a disgruntled goose.
'Old, yes,' Michael nodded. 'I can't deny that. But not sickly. Not yet.'
'I'm not seeing a collar,' Audrey said. 'Is this a new fashion?'
'What is it my brother said? To not feel its weight is a dream.'
'Imitation,' Michael smirked with false conceit. 'Sincerest form of flattery. How kind of you, Brother.'
'I do my best to stroke your ego when I can.'
Audrey had a feeling that this battle of wits had been waged before, regularly and creatively.
'You're another archangel, aren't you?' she asked.
'I am,' Raf agreed.
'So...what? Is this a rebellion or something?'
Raphael dipped his head shyly.
'Do you like my oasis, Audrey?'
Audrey was confused. 'I thought God raised the water.'
'That sounds like Gabriel,' Raphael said. 'This is my doing. I couldn't bear to watch my brother die. That's why I don't have my collar.'
'Oh,' Audrey said quietly, thinking that God was obviously a real hard-ass. 'Right.'
'We're here because His faith in man is rotten,' Michael said. 'He commanded us to purge the world, along with the saviour, but when we saw the Watchers fire couldn't touch the righteous, we refused.'
'And we are cast down for it.'
Michael shook his head. 'Not forever,' he said stiffly. 'He will change His mind when He sees.'
'Sees what?' Audrey couldn't help but ask.
'He was angry,' Michael confessed, biting his lip. 'He handed your world to Lucifer. And she, true to form, took her chance to irritate Him by handing you to us.'
'Are you saying Lucifer did humanity a favour...because it would piss God off?'
'Yes,' said a cool, feminine angel woman was almost as tall as Raf but much thinner. She was made of long bones and corded sinew that suggested strength and starvation. She wasn't pretty, except for her striking grey eyes and her wild mop of curly platinum hair.
Michael dipped his head, a gesture Audrey was coming to associate with guilty feelings.
'That's Lucifer,' he said. 'Audrey...the righteous are on their way here. We have to be ready for them. It was like this once, a long time ago. Angels lived alongside man and raised him from the dust. We taught you to farm and hunt, to find your spirit in your flesh.'
'Amongst other things,' Lucifer smiled. Her teeth were straight and a bit too pointy. She wasn't friendly, but Audrey sensed she wasn't foolish either. She had the bored look of a very old woman who had seen it all. 'So this is the little thing Gabriel favours? The bird without plumage.'
'Lucifer,' Michael said. 'Be gentle.'
Audrey felt like she could see the whole universe in Lucifer's eyes. They were beautiful, but they made her feel small and insignificant.
'His light is in your eyes,' Lucifer said, her warm fingertips gentle on Audrey's chin, her long nails close to Audrey's jugular. 'Gabriel must see you and think of redemption.'
Lucifer smiled. 'Are you afraid of me, chicken? Should we fetch His Dog for you? I'm surprised he hasn't come sniffing already, the ever obedient pup.'
Lucifer blinked slowly, her nearly translucent eyelids shifting over her pupils, Audrey could have sworn she saw a glitter of red. Audrey shied away, unnerved.
'That's just an affectionate nickname,' Michael said sharply.
'We gave it to him because he can sniff out a lie at a thousand wingbeats...and of course he'll do his tricks for bones off Father's plate,' Lucifer smirked.
A familiar scent wrapped around Audrey, making her feel much safer. Gabriel was standing behind them.
'You too, Raphael,' Gabriel said, gesturing angrily to Michael. 'Did he drip poison into your ear?'
'That's not fair,' the accused protested.
'But it's true,' Gabriel said sharply. 'Why do you do this? For sentiment? Your heart was always soft, Raphael.'
Raphael picked a tall spear out of the ground with a single, powerful tug that suggested he was much stronger than he looked.
'I don't answer to you any more,' Raphael said.
'You are a fool, Raphael, and you'll die a fools death for letting your heart guide you. And you,' Gabriel straightened to his full, imposing height, glaring at Lucifer. 'You belong in Hell.'
Lucifer smiled broadly. 'I break all the rules and still He lets me off my chain. Unlike you, faithful Dog.'
'I won't argue with you, Snake,' he snapped, his voice like thunder.
Lucifer launched herself at Gabriel.
'No!' Audrey yelled desperately, as Gabriel caught Lucifer by the hands and flipped her cleanly over his head. Twisting, wrenching loose, she landed on her feet between his folded wings and grabbed him by the throat. He beat his wings in fury, his fingers going white on her arms but Audrey could see he was tiring quickly.
'Stop it! He's still sick!' Audrey yelled.
'It'll be OK. He's tough,' Michael licked his lips and added darkly. 'And stupid.'
Gabriel pried Lucifer's fingers off and she backhanded him so hard he staggered. With a single beat of her wings she mounted his chest as he fell. Gabriel lay on his back, panting. Lucifer had wedged her knee under his chin. Sitting on his chest, she was breathing hard, mantled like an angry swan.
'You idiot!' she snarled. 'You know better than anyone that He's nothing but a tyrant child with a handful of ants and still you serve Him!' she grimaced in disgust, her thin fingers turning his head effortlessly. 'You're a loyal dog at His feet, licking the wounds I inflict for His stupidity and ignorance.'
'Yet He sent you to Hell,' Gabriel choked defiantly. 'It must sting to be the disappointing child. The betrayer.'
Lucifer leaned in, so close she could have kissed him.
'I'd rather live in Hell than be like you.'
Michael looked abashed. Running his hand through his hair, he glanced at Raf, who leaned on his spear and smirked at the pair on the floor. He didn't seem very worried and Audrey took comfort in that. She wondered if this happened a lot.
'Do something for Gods sakes,' Michael said disapprovingly. 'She's your wife!'
Audrey nearly choked on her own spit.
'She's your sister,' Raphael countered calmly.
Gabriel rolled suddenly, wings flaring as he pinned Lucifer to the sand. Audrey thought it looked painful but Lucifer hissed at him like a wildcat, unbroken.
'You used to be faster! You've gotten fat, Gabriel!'
Raphael chuckled as Lucifer hit Gabriel with her folded wing, flipping him over. They crashed through the brush like squabbling puppies until they splintered a palm tree. Raphael parted the vegetation to look.
'Yes!' he whooped, holding his spear high. 'Oh yes. You owe me!' he pointed at Michael with two fingers.
Lucifer clambered up, brushing herself off with a victorious grin. She made a gesture at Gabriel. Audrey didn't think it was particularly rude but he looked very offended by it.
'Best two out of three?' she lifted her chin defiantly.
'Lucifer,' Michael cut in. 'Let him be.'
'Eternity isn't as long as I remember,' Gabriel grumbled.
'Long enough,' Lucifer walked away with Raphael close behind her.
'Are you OK?' Audrey asked Gabriel.
'Bruises will heal,' he straightened, looking tired. 'But my pride will take longer. I didn't mean to bring you into our disobedience. Forgive me.'
'It's not your fault.'
'But you're my responsibility,' he said softly, hovering so close she could smell his skin and sweat. Audrey realised she liked it, though she wasn't keen on being a mere responsibility.
'And you're mine,' she said. 'We survived together, right?'
'Right,' he smiled. Audrey's breath caught as his heavy blue eyes travelled her face. Audrey wasn't sure what she was seeing. Suddenly, Audrey felt ashamed. She was making eyes at an archangel. Now that she knew the truth of her feelings, it felt sacrilegious.
oOo
The archangels hastily erected a shower unit which was big enough to accommodate their wings. It was powered by a soft, pulsing white sphere which vibrated like a washing machine on full spin and gave out hot water. Audrey felt so grateful to be out of the grit and sweat of the desert that she almost cried with relief as she washed her hair. She put on the clothes Raphael had given her and sat by the fire to dry her hair. Michael gave her a welcoming smile. She remembered being all alone the first night. By comparison, the crackling fire and low murmur of conversation between Raf and Lucifer was heavenly.
'Alright?' Michael asked. She nodded emphatically.
'I never thought I'd have a shower again,' she said.
'Bugger appearances,' Michael smiled. 'It's the dust. It gets under our feathers and drives us all mad.'
Audrey smiled. When she was younger, at church, she used to wonder if angels were real. She could never decide what they'd be like. She'd never imagined they'd curse, fight or even laugh much. She liked Michael more because he was natural like that. Almost human, apart from his wings.
'Here,' he handed her a fringed, colourful blanket with a closed-lipped, easy smile. 'It gets cold out here at night.'
Audrey though of the night she'd spent curled up with Gabriel for warmth and realised that at no time in her teenage life had she felt so safe as she did in his arms. Michael pointed to the end tent.
'That one's yours.'
Audrey wished she could stay with Gabriel. She glanced up at the ridge where he sat with his long legs dangling over the drop, building a screen with his hands and a tool that was too small to see from where she was. He'd already put their tarp overhead and propped it up with sticks. It looked like he was building a cabin up there.
Audrey asked the question that was playing on her mind.
'Why did God lose faith in us, Michael?'
'Ingratitude,' the archangel said sadly. 'And...disobedience to His Word. He can be kind too though, Audrey. And loving.'
'I don't believe that,' Audrey said quietly. 'God isn't loving. God is an asshole.'
Michael gazed at his hands, looking sad.
'I wish you could have known him before His anger. Before the sins of your ancestors. You'd think of Him differently then.'
Audrey huffed, irritated.
'How am I responsible for the sins of my ancestors, Michael?'
He glanced at her bare knees, then licked his lips as though the turn of the conversation had given him a dry mouth.
'You're not,' he admitted, looking guilty. 'I'm only sorry it took us all so long to realise that.'
Audrey couldn't maintain anger when he looked so contrite. She sighed some of her tension away and rubbing a hand through her damp hair, she gestured to the ridge.
'What's he doing?'
'He doesn't want to see us,' Michael said. 'He's building an eyrie.'
oOo
Audreystood at the base of a shear cliff. Gabriel's fire flickered behind his woven screen. He'd finished his little cabin and shut the door on the world. Audrey could smell the wood smoke and the roasting flesh of whatever he'd caught to eat. He was humming a haunting song.
'Gabriel!' Audrey called. He stopped humming and the screen door opened, knotted rope dangling. Gabriel appeared. Then he fell forwards and flapped tiredly down. Folding his wings, he gazed down his nose at her.
'Have you come to petition me on behalf of Michael?' he asked, his voice deep and even. 'Because I want no part of this foolishness.'
'No,' Audrey said, surprised by his lack of faith in her. 'Actually, I just want to make sure you're OK.'
Gabriel's cool exterior softened. His wings dropped a bit, leading Audrey to believe he'd been quite tense. Gabriel looked her up and down, his expression warming.
'These new clothes suit you,' he said.
Audrey tugged at the blouse self consciously. 'Feels less conspicuous,' she admitted.
'Long word,' he murmured teasingly. Audrey smacked him on the chest. He grinned, teeth coming out. She liked him better when he smiled.
'So,' Audrey said, expectantly. 'Can I see your secret hideaway? Or do I have to stay down here with Lucifer all night?'
'She'd best not have hurt you,' he warned, making Audrey feel warm in her core.
'No,' Audrey shook her head. 'But she makes my skin crawl.'
He smiled. 'You and me, both,' he offered his hands. 'No ladder. Do you trust me?'
Audrey thought she trusted Gabriel, but his feathers still looked a bit flimsy to her. He arched a brow, not expectant, just interested. Bravely, Audrey let him pick her up bridal style.
'I won't drop you,' he promised, as Audrey put her arms trustingly around his neck.
'Yeah, please don't,' she said drily.
He jumped. His wings came down and the upward force startled her. The ground rushed away, leaving her weightless. Audrey yelped in fright, clinging on with her face buried in his throat, her eyes screwed shut because she didn't want to see how far up they'd gone. Her ears popped as the air pressure changed then Gabriel landed on the ledge and put her down. Audrey's knees wobbled. She clung to him, feeling embarassed.
'Oh Jesus,' she breathed nervously, when she caught sight of the ground in the distance.
'It's OK,' he murmured. 'You're safe.'
Audrey felt nauseous.
'Not big on heights, hmm?' He smiled.
Gabriel leaned out fearlessly and closed the screen door by pulling the knotted rope, which he hooked over a nail jammed into a split in the rocks. Audrey relaxed now that she couldn't see the drop.
Gabriel's eyrie was the size of a family tent. The roof was made of the old tarp propped up by sticks, which lead to a chimney-point where there was a hole to let the smoke out. The fire crackled merrily. It was actually very cosy and much warmer than her tent. Gabriel handed her a blanket which Audrey gratefully wrapped herself in.
'Better, now?' he asked.
'Yeah,' she smiled. 'Gabriel? Can I ask you something?'
'Mmm,' he nodded.
'What is it between Lucifer and Raphael? Michael said she's his wife. Do angels even get married?'
'Sometimes,' he nodded. 'Why do you want to know?'
'I was just curious,' she said honestly.
Gabriel shifted, looking a bit uncomfortable. 'You don't see it, do you?'
'What're you talking about?'
'The way Michael looks at you,' Gabriel's eyebrows went up together. 'The way he watches you.'
Gabriel's eyes travelled her body and she shuddered fully, feeling naked.
'He will try and take you,' Gabriel said softly, nodding. 'And you'd be wise to resist him, Audrey, because though you'll undoubtedly find pleasure in his bed, you won't find love. I think love is what you really need.'
Audrey flushed red, absolutely mortified.
'Michael doesn't think of me that way!' she sputtered.
'You're either naïve,' he said. 'Or innocent.'
'I'm not naïve!' she protested.
Gabriel smiled. 'You're not innocent, either.'
Audrey shuddered. She felt safe with Michael. The idea he mind have sexual intentions towards her felt a bit disturbing.
'Raphael will try too,' he added quietly.
'Gabriel. He's married!'
'Raphael and Lucifer both take lovers outside of their marriage bed. Raphael is gentle,' he cocked his head. 'And sweet. But he won't love you either, because Lucifer is the one he wants.'
'H-How do you know what Raphael is like in bed!?' Audrey didn't think her face could get any hotter.
Gabriel smiled shyly and all the breath disappeared from her lungs.
'Eternity is...rather a long time,' he said, obviously trying not to smile. Audrey tried to imagine Gabriel, a guy she more associated with sexless masculinity, in bed with Raphael. She didn't like it.
'Have you ever heard of too much information?' she whispered.
'Yeah,' he murmured, though he didn't look contrite.
Audrey felt a bit ill. Maybe he's right, a little voice in her head whispered. Maybe that is how Michael rolls. Audrey shuddered.
Gabriel looked up from his lap, looking like the little boy who'd been quite naughty. Audrey started to laugh. Even though the subject had thoroughly disturbed her, seeing that look on Gabriel's ever stoic face was enough to raise her giggles from the grave. She fell about laughing.
'What's gotten into you?' he asked.
'Nothing, yet!' she giggled, laughing even harder until he stretched out on the floor and grunted; 'I'll give you something to laugh about!'
He grabbed her by the waist with both hands and tickled her until she squealed, rolling about desperately trying to dislodge him.
'Who's laughing now?' he grinned, 'Hmm? Is it me?'
'You!' she conceded defeat loudly. 'You! I give in!' she panted.
'So what about you?' Audrey grabbed both his hands in preparation for her next jab. He fought a bit for effect but Audrey knew he could overpower her without a problem. He was just playing, and she loved it. 'Are you nesting with anyone?'
She broke down laughing at his expression, half way between constipation and shock. He straightened a finger at her as if he wanted to waggle it in her face but she clung onto his knuckles.
'You're asking for it,' he threatened.
'No, no more tickles,' she yelled as he inched closer on his elbows, dislodging a hand easily to grab her waist. 'What's that mean, hmm? Nesting?'
'Like...eggs!' she snorted.
He grinned. 'No eggs,' he said, his voice vibrating in her bones. Audrey squirmed, aroused. 'Babies, just like you. No wife either. I had someone once but...she died many years ago.'
Audrey stopped smiling.
'I-I'm sorry,' she said quietly.
'You didn't know,' he said, his voice hypnotising.
'Children?' she whispered.
'One,' he nodded. His eyes fell to her bare throat and he swallowed hard. Audrey bit her lip, feeling terrible that she'd been making jokes. 'A boy. Dead.'
Audrey covered her mouth with a shaky hand.
'I'm so sorry, Gabriel.'
Gabriel picked up her left hand and touched the space where a ring could be.
'What about you?' he asked, smiling even though his eyes were full of sorrow. 'Nobody special? Or not special enough, maybe.'
Audrey shook her head.
'That's a shame,' he said quietly.
Audrey's blood rushed in her veins, her heart thundering with anticipation. She wanted him to kiss her.
'You're right,' she whispered.
'Hmm?' his eyebrow went up. Audrey wanted to run her fingertip along it, memorise his face and his body. She wanted to know if he was gentle or rough.
'About my heart,' she admitted, absently playing with his fingertips. 'About it needing more than a one night stand. I'm glad you told me. I don't think I could take finding that stuff out...after. If something happened.'
He smiled, teeth and all, leaving her feeling drained and helpless, and wondering how long she could keep it a secret that she wanted him. Surely he was in enough trouble with God already and she didn't want to make it worse for him.
Gabriel seemed to lean in, as though he was thinking about kissing her. Audrey knew if he tried she wouldn't resist, not even to save him from God's anger, but he stopped and let her go.
'Are you hungry?' he asked after a minute.
Audrey nodded. 'Yeah,' she thought to herself; not just for food.
oOo
Audrey woke up with her back against the rock wall, feeling achy and a bit damp from sleeping on a hard surface. The fire was still burning and her skin and hair smelled strongly of wood smoke, but she was trembling with the cold. Gabriel's head was pillowed on his arm with the furs around his waist. Audrey could see him breathing softly. She squirmed further down into her own bedding, but her feet were frozen.
She took her furs with her, padding around on the bare rock to touch his shoulder.
'Gabriel?' she whispered. He huffed, his eyes flickering, rolled over and gazed up at her tiredly.
'What's wrong?' he asked, his hand coming up to touch her chin gently.
'I'm freezing,' she breathed, feeling awkward and covertly excited.
He patted the space next to him. Audrey laid the blankets and pillow out and cuddled up. He made a soft noise of complaint as her toes touched his bare feet.
He lifted his arm. Audrey wrapped one arm around his torso, her heart singing, and let him fold her in his arms and wings. As her flesh warmed and his breathing evened out, gusting gently into her hair, Audrey closed her eyes and drifted, feeling utterly content.
oOo
Audrey ran on broken flagstones, stumbling in the shadows between tower blocks. Shredded newspapers flapped in a strong downdraft. She could smell the rubbish tip scent of the city. She could feel it following her, sniffing at the trail of her fear. Its claws clicked on the tarmac, and Audrey felt it gaining on her. It lunged, rotten mouth open. Audrey screamed.
'Audrey!' a voice snapped through the dream, shaking her awake. Audrey sat up, gasping. Gabriel held her by her shirt. She was still on the ledge, no nightmare dog in sight, but she didn't feel safe. She blinked at Gabriel, groggy as she tried to chase the dream away.
'Something's out there,' he whispered. 'Stay down. You hear me?'
'Yeah,' she whispered.
He reached for his mace and pulled it close, biting his lip as it scraped the rock floor.
'I'm going to see what it is,' he said, handing her his dagger. 'Don't be brave,' he warned.
Audrey clutched the now familiar hilt anxiously. She could smell Gabriel, his feathers and hair, warm and heavy like a quilted fur blanket. A corner of her fear of him rolled up like burning parchment, replaced by something far more tender. He was protecting her, and she loved that about him.
Thud. Audrey jumped. Light burst in the clearing below and suddenly the tents were on fire. She could hear growling. Gabriel scanned the dark, leaning forward, braced on his wing joints. He twisted to glance at her as she shuffled closer to his back.
'Gabriel!' she screamed. It was much bigger than a normal dog, short-haired and rotten. It clung to the rock wall with shiny silver claws. Gabriel's lip curled. Audrey's hair blasted off her face in his wingbeats as he surged up, and smacked his mace into the dog. It crunched horribly and went still.
Gabriel peeled the carcass off the rocks and slapped it down at her feet. Audrey scrambled behind his folded wing in terror.
'It's dead,' he regarded it with cold, calm curiosity.
Audrey felt like she couldn't breathe.
'I dreamed it!' she choked out.
He looked surprisd, then he nodded slowly. 'Psychic ability,' he said. 'Explains that light in your eyes.'
Audrey's guts churned. It was as big as a wolfhound, its paper thin skin stretched over white bones. It leaked maggots that writhed popped in the heat of the fire. Audrey remembered the sound of its wheezy breathing as it chased her down and wondered if she'd ever want to go to sleep again.
'It's a Thane,' Gabriel bent to pick it up by the scruff of the neck. 'Just rot and worms animated by a vengeful spirit. Michael will want to see this.'
Audrey waited on the ledge while Gabriel dropped the dead dog by the fire at Michael's camp. Audrey was shaking with fear by the time he came back for her.
Lucifer strode around the burning tents, her white hair tousled, her shirt torn, dragging the carcass of a rotten dog. She tossed it on top of Gabriel's.
'Brother,' she nodded to Gabriel. 'You survived His attack, then.'
'Your lack of faith isn't a surprise.'
Lucifer smirked. 'Touché, little Brother.'
'Not so little,' he said, his lips thin. Audrey was coming to understand that meant he was annoyed.
A dog skidded into view and turned its glowing eyes to Audrey. As it tensed to lunge, Lucifer turned and thrust her knife into its throat. She threw it on the pile and wiped the blood off her face, looking bored.
Audrey tried not to look at the bodies, but even dead they terrified her and she couldn't shake the irrational fear that one of them might wake up again.
'Audrey,' Michael was bleeding from a cut to the temple. 'Are you hurt?'
'No,' she said quickly.
'It knew where she was hiding,' Gabriel sounded angry. 'How would it know that unless it's master knew?' he pointed at Lucifer, who huffed indignantly.
'Lust has made you foolish,' she scoffed.
Gabriel scowled. Audrey folded her arms, uncomfortable.
'Enough,' Michael said quietly. 'Both of you. You're behaving like children.'
'She dreamed it,' Gabriel pointed to Audrey, glaring at Lucifer, 'What have you done to her mind? Did you touch her, while I wasn't around to stop you?'
Lucifer rolled her eyes. 'What interest would I have in your pet human? It makes no odds to me if she dies tonight, or bears you a dozen children first. I only want my revenge. You know that.'
'You were always selfish,' Gabriel said coldly.
'I said ENOUGH,' Michael's anger frightened Audrey into taking a step back but Gabriel didn't look intimidated.
'You don't command me,' he said to Michael. 'And you won't drag her into your war, Michael. Or – me. I promise you.'
'I don't want a war, Gabriel. I just want Him to see.'
'Why? Hmm? You think that He'll see the error of His ways, welcome you home like a hero? No. He will burn you for your disobedience, and I won't let you take us with you.'
'You have a responsibility here,' Michael snapped as Gabriel turned away, his hand warm on Audrey's back. 'To help them. If not to us...if not to me, then to mankind!'
'He has abandoned them,' Gabriel said softly.
'What about her?' Michael pointed at Audrey. 'I see you, Gabriel. I see what's in your heart. If you love her-'
Audrey wanted to say they'd all gotten the wrong idea. Gabriel didn't love her, no matter how tender she felt towards him, but he moved so fast that Audrey gasped, his face suddenly close to Michael's.
'Say it again, Brother. I beg you. Give me a reason.'
Michael held up both his hands I surrender, but he looked tired and angry.
'Is this what you want?' Michael appealed to Audrey. 'You want to be his...pet? Instead of helping your species?'
Audrey shook her head, angry. She wasn't sure who to trust, the mad zealot Gabriel or the manipulative brother, but either way, nobody was asking her opinion and that annoyed her.
'I'm not his pet,' she said sharply. 'And...I never said I wouldn't help if I can...but I don't think I have much I can do.'
'It will be revealed,' Michael said suddenly. 'In time. When He is ready.'
A horn blew suddenly, making Audrey jump. Raphael leaned on his spear. He was ruffled and his shirt was torn at the wrist but he looked no worse for wear, really.
'They're here,' he said.
'The righteous?' Audrey asked.
'No. The angels who wouldn't obey,' Michael said.
oOo
Audrey couldn't sleep after the attack. The angels had burned the carcasses and the stink clung to the back of her throat. She was sure she'd never get rid of the smell. Gabriel lay beside her on his back, his big hands folded over his belly, his eyes closed. She could tell by his breathing that he wasn't asleep. He'd refused to leave her side and Audrey felt very warm towards him for that. She wondered if Michael had been right. Did Gabriel lust after her? She wanted it to be true.
The horn had announced the arrival of six legions of angels, none of whom wore a collar. Audrey could still hear the clanging of tools. They were building a city around the oasis.
Gabriel cracked open his eyes. Perhaps he was aware Audrey was watching him. She flushed, a bit uncomfortable at having been caught out.
'Rest,' he said. 'You're safe now.'
'Can't sleep,' she shook her head. 'I keep seeing the dog in my mind. It was horrible.'
Gabriel rolled onto his side, disturbing the furs. He looked tired. She felt guilty for waking him when he was still recovering from his sickness.
'You should sleep,' she said.
'I'll sleep,' he promised, smiling slightly. 'When you do.'
'What if God sends more?' she asked quietly. 'What if we don't hear them coming?'
Gabriel shook his head quickly. 'There are sentries on every gate, on the cliff, all over the oasis,' he reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. 'Nobody's going to touch you, Audrey. I promise. Now go to sleep,' he rumbled teasingly.
'Only if you hold me,' she smiled back, and his eyebrows shot up, his lips twisting into the little smirk she rarely saw him use, except with her. He held his arms open and Audrey crawled into them.
'Now I feel special,' he was mocking, but only gently. She didn't mind. She smirked against his shoulder, suddenly feeling exhausted.
'Special as in...happy birthday special or...special as in...the special yellow bus for special children?'
'Oy,' he prodded her in the ribs so gently that she felt an uncontrollable surge of love for him. 'You making fun of me, girl?'
'Oh, so now I'm a girl, am I?' Audrey arched a brow at him.
'Hmm,' he lifted his chin at her defiantly. 'You're pretty brave. Making fun of an archangel like that.'
'Nah,' she giggled, 'You're just a big teddybear with wings!'
He choked, his heavy eyes suddenly wide. He shook his head at her disapprovingly but Audrey could tell she'd gotten under his skin in the best way. She cuddled up, her head on his chest and closed her eyes.
'Except for when something needs bashing,' she snorted.
'You done?' he asked, but his calm exterior just made her smile. Audrey felt sure she'd figured him out, and he'd fight a bit until he was relaxed around her, she knew, but she wouldn't give up. 'Can I finally go to sleep?' he added.
'Yes,' she smiled. 'I feel safe now, and you can finally go to sleep.'
Audrey drifted away into sleep, feeling better than she'd ever felt before.
oOo
First light crept over the edge of the world, chasing away Audrey's fear. She stood at the edge of the oasis in the cold, early air. The angels had built a high wall around their new city, and buildings were going up slowly, dome-topped, white and beautiful. The tallest was a tower right in the middle. Angels flapped up and down taking materials to the top.
'These guys sure work fast,' Audrey said, as Gabriel yawned and idly, stretched his wings out and gave them an experimental flap. Then he produced an apple from his pocket. He held it up ready to bite as he spoke.
'My fool of a brother is going to start a war,' Gabriel pointed at her, the apple in his hand. 'He'll try to involve you, mark my words.'
'What's wrong with that?' she asked.
'He won't like it,' Gabriel said, his mouth full. 'You'd be unwise to anger Him.'
'Are you going to turn me into a pillar of salt?' she asked teasingly. Gabriel's expression fell. He blinked slowly, clearly disturbed. Audrey folded her arms, feeling uncomfortable. She'd been joking, but now she felt sure he would, if it meant he could go home. 'Well, that face says everything I need to know,' she said, finding it hard to disguise her disappointment.
Gabriel's eyes went cold.
'You think I like it? Hmm?'
Audrey could tell she'd offended him.
'You wouldn't understand,' he said, sounding bitter.
'Well...I might if you told me!' she countered. 'Help me understand why you hunt little babies down and...rescue strange girls from the side of the road. And turn cities into salt!'
Gabriel's eyes seemed to brim with feeling. He bent his head, his face close. Audrey shivered all over.
'Because He tells me to,' Gabriel whispered. 'He made me. Without Him I'd be nothing but light dust. You know what it's like to owe someone your life? Your soul?'
Audrey bit her lip, because his comment made her think of her Mom and Dad. She teared up.
'I know exactly what it feels like, Gabriel. Why should I trust you? One minute you say you'll protect me, the next that you serve God. Can you protect me from yourself? Do you even want to?'
'It's not my job to protect you,' he spilled over, looking frustrated and just a bit patronising.
'Then why do you do it?!' she yelled, irritated.
'Choice,' he said snappishly. 'That make you feel better? Safer? You want to let me close now you know...I'd do anything to go home to Him.'
Audrey's bottom lip wobbled. She hid it behind her hand, trying not to sniffle.
'No,' she backed away. 'I don't.'
Gabriel snatched her arm. 'Hey!' Audrey yelped. He wasn't really hurting her, but she was worried he might.
'What do you want from me? Hmm?' he asked, his angry eyes roving her face. 'You want loyalty? You picked the wrong man.'
'You're not a man,' she spat, wrenching her arm away.
'Audrey-' Gabriel tried to catch her but she backed out of reach.
'No!' she yelled. 'I understand. It's fine.'
She fled, ashamed for crying and angry at him for being so cold when everything between them seemed to be going so well.
oOo
Audrey wiped angrily at her tears, making her eyes sore. She felt frustrated with herself for being so weak. It felt like since the apocalypse, all she'd done was cry. She hunched on an abandoned log near the burned out tents, feelng sorry for herself. She heard a rustle behind her and turned, expecting to see Gabriel, but Raphael stepped through the singed foliage instead.
'Audrey?' he asked, settling next to her. 'Is everything OK?'
She pressed her lips together to keep from crying and managed to say; 'Your brother is such a fucking asshole!'
'Michael?' Raphael looked confused.
'Gabriel,' she sobbed, feeling stupid. The snot in her nose was making it harder to breathe. She didn't want to be seen like this.
'Everything I know is gone. And Gabriel...One minute he's playful and sweet and the next...he's telling me he'd murder me if it meant he could go back to Heaven!'
Raphael winced theatrically.
'Gabriel isn't a delicate man, Audrey. He's a war hammer and sometimes he's got about as much grace as one. But he has a warm heart that only softens for a special few. I think you're the one person he wouldn't harm for an all access pass to Heaven...and he just doesn't want to admit to himself that you're that far under his skin.'
Audrey sniffled. 'I feel lost,' she admitted. 'Michael's talking about destiny...fucking demon dogs are trying to eat me alive and I don't even know what it all means!'
Raf shrugged lightly. 'I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.'
Audrey pushed him by the shoulder and he laughed, reaching out to tuck her hair behind her ear.
'I just want to feel happy again,' she admitted. 'Like I did before it all went wrong.'
Raphael smiled a bit apologetically. 'Alas. Your loyal guard dog is listening.'
Audrey followed is line of sight. A pair of boots, two toned and muscled legs, hips and the bottom half of two sharp wings were standing very still behind the leaves of a broad tree. Raphael offered her a reassuring smile, spread his wings and took off. Audrey wiped at her eyes, self conscious even though Gabriel had seen her cry before.
'What do you want?' she asked him.
'Forgive me,' he said softly.
Audrey wasn't expecting that. He looked so contrite that she felt sorry for him.
'I wouldn't hurt you,' he admitted. 'Not even to go home.'
'What made you change your mind?' she couldn't help but sneer at him a bit. He was definitely the most frustrating man she'd ever met.
'I remembered who I am,' his lips lifted into the ghost of a smile. 'An asshole,' he started to grin as she did. 'Isn't that what you said, hmm?'
'Yeah,' Audrey nodded, as warmth flooded through her belly. 'But you have your nice moments too.'
'Then maybe all hope isn't lost,' he said quietly, sitting down. She felt small next to him. She liked that feeling. Audrey couldn't stop herself from giving him a hug. As she put her chin on his shoulder, she smelled his familiar scent and revelled in it.
'Let me be your protector,' he wrapped his arm around her waist and gave her a squeeze that almost forced the breath out of her. She loved it. 'Poor payment, maybe...for everything I've done to hurt you. But it's all I can give.'
'We're not talking about our argument anymore, are we?'
In his arms she was safe, and she never wanted him to let go. His chest rose and fell against hers, she felt his breath in her hair.
'We were blind,' he whispered, his voice as much as feeling as a sound that sent heat and wetness to her private parts. 'All of us.'
She smiled playfully, drawing far enough away to gaze up through her lashes. It was so tempting to flirt, it was what she wanted most.
'Takes a big man to admit he's wrong,' she set him up smoothly, 'But you don't need any help with that, do you?'
His eyes fell to hers, intense and soft. She realised abruptly that this wasn't a game anymore. He would never hurt her again, it was in his eyes and all over his face, not because he'd found his conscience – because he cared about her.
Audrey went warm and tingly all over. Then Gabriel leaned in and she felt sure he was going to kiss her, but he stopped at the last second, gazing at the floor as though he'd done something very wrong.
'It's not safe for you to walk around alone,' he said. His voice sounded strange. 'From now on you stay close to me or Michael. No wandering off.'
'OK,' she agreed, thinking that it wouldn't be a trial to stay close to him.

TBC
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The Heartstring Symphony