A few moments after Charlie and Jeep reached the rocky ledge Audrey came to, the relief evident on her face when she learned everyone was all right. Tessa began to feel optimistic that they might be able to hold on. Her own wounds were already starting to heal and Audrey, though still in a horrendous amount of pain, didn't look quite as bad as she had when Tessa brought her to the plateau.

Her optimism was cut short though when Charlie cried out in terror as the angel prepared to get to her feet. Following the new mother's gaze, Tessa immediately recognized the form barreling toward them. Tessa tried to jump to her feet as Jeep pushed Charlie out of the way, but her injured ankle buckled beneath her. Jeep put himself in Gabriel's relentless path, allowing for Charlie to try and make a getaway.

The archangel all but crashed into boy, dealing him a sharp blow that knocked him to the ground. For a long moment Jeep didn't move. Gabriel turned to fix Charlie with a merciless stare. The mother and baby stood alone near the edge of the outcropping, a very angry archangel standing between her and Tessa. She spun, facing Gabriel with a look of panic on her face. He slowly walked towards her, his hand outstretched. Tessa struggled to get her feet under her, her ankle still refusing to support her weight in her haste. Gabriel's voice was quiet and intimidating, not revealing for a moment how he wished this was not how it had to end.

"Give me the child." Charlie shook her head, edging closer to the cliff-face, looking for a way out as her son wailed in her arms.

"No." Despair crept into Gabriel's face at her answer, but he managed to keep it from his voice.

"Then death will come to you both." He began to walk forward, but his approach was halted as Jeep flung himself at the angel, yelling as they collided. Charlie screamed as the two rolled across the plateau, propelled by Jeep's momentum, coming dangerously close to the cliff-face. Jeep landed on top, pushing Gabriel into the gravel with every once of strength he had but even injured as he was, Gabriel was still too strong. Pushing upward sharply with his arms, the archangel threw Jeep into the rock wall behind them, knocking Jeep senseless for a moment as he hit the ground. Standing, Gabriel pulled his knife from his boot, walking slowly toward the boy.

"Why do you continue to fight when you know all hope is lost?" The angel seemed genuinely mystified at Jeep's willingness to take on an angel as powerful as Gabriel. Jeep only had one thing to say as the archangel stood over him.

"Fuck you." Gabriel pulled back to strike, but before he could Tessa's boots connected with his chest, knocking him back with a pained grunt. She landed before him in a flurry of razor-edged wings. The archangel backpedalled, dodging her strike with relative ease. She stilled, standing battle ready before him.

Gabriel couldn't help but stare at her in anguished disbelief, something the others couldn't fail but notice. Tessa effectively stood between him, the boy, the child and its mother, ready and prepared to fight him. Her vivid blue eyes stood out on her dirt and blood-streaked face, glowing with grief and a deep, almost mindless fury. Gabriel recognized her pain, as he had a similar one gnawing at his own heart. What he had done, what he was duty-bound to do and what they had once shared stretching like a gulf between them. When he spoke, he could barely keep his voice steady as his emotions ran rampant.

"Why are you doing this, Teresa?" She trembled, though whether it was with grief or pain or memory he didn't know. She stared at him, tears beginning to creep silently down her face.

"Because mankind does not deserve this fate; they do not deserve to die. They can't have their hope stolen from them." Her voice was steady and calm, revealing her resolve to see this through. Gabriel was almost desperate to dissuade her from this path. He did not know if he could bear to kill her too.

"Tess—they burned you alive! How can you feel such compassion for them; compassion for which they do not deserve." The angel in front of him wavered a little as his words cut deep into her already fragile resolve. She was so tired.

"What they did to me does not matter anymore. The ones that killed me are long dead. What matters is that now, when I look upon the darkness that mankind has become, I cannot help but notice the beacons of hope in the night. I may still hate part of humankind for what they did to me, but the flickers of goodness I see are too precious and too good to be abandoned. Michael—" she choked a little at the mention of the man she loved, but she plowed on regardless, "Michael saw that; he showed me that. This child is the personification of hope for all mankind. I will not let you snuff him out." Her voice hardened as she finished speaking, her abhorrence of his mission clear for all to see.

A flicker of grief crossed the archangel's features, softening his cold, hard face as he stepped toward her. A single tear escaped as he cupped her cheek in his hand, looking down at the face of the woman he had come to love. Leaning forward, he placed a soft kiss on each of her eyelids.

"I cannot defy my orders; but I don't want to kill you," his voice was low as he spoke before pressing his lips to hers. One of her hands came to rest on his breastplate as she kissed him gently back for the sake of what they once had. She had loved him once and in her own way still did, even though Michael owned her heart. Conversely, he had never stopped loving her, even now that he knew her heart belonged to someone else. As she pulled away, he allowed her to push him back, his grief nearly overwhelming him. Regret and remorse stained her delicate features as she unsheathed her sword, not once breaking eye contact with her former lover.

"I am not afraid, Gabriel." Her voice was soft and sad as she prepared to fight him. In an instant the pain and sadness in Gabriel's face vanished to be replaced with grim determination. He was a creature of duty; not even his own feelings could dissuade him from his task. He tried to summon the anger at Michael for forcing his hand and for all but stealing his beloved, but he found he couldn't. His love for his brother was to great to be tainted by such base emotions as jealousy. Instead, he buried them as best he could, drawing on his conviction to see his mission through. He had never failed before when his Father bestowed his will on his Messenger, and he wasn't about to now.

"So be it." For a long silent moment they just watched one another, the compulsion to fight warring with the desire not to. Finally, as with Michael, Gabriel charged forward, preparing to collide head on with his opponent and overwhelm them with sheer force. This time though, he wasn't the only one with wings. With a powerful sweep, Tessa launched herself into the air, avoiding his attack, but he had already spun to meet her. As his knife met her sword, he shoved her, causing her to roll back, struggling to regain her footing because of her weakened ankle. He leaped forward as she got to her feet, but as he descended toward her, she fell back, catching him with her feet and using his momentum to send him flying over her, losing his knife in the process.

Jeep, using the distraction, had gotten to his feet, coming to kneel beside Charlie. The waitress had inched her way over to Audrey when Gabriel was talking to Tessa, and was now crouching beside the teenager. Both of them fearfully watched as their protector battled the angel that had killed Michael, shrinking into the rock wall at their backs. Trying to keep from being noticed, Jeep tried to get Audrey to her feet. The gesture was useless though, as there was no way the teen was going to walk anywhere anytime soon. She tried to get them to leave her but Charlie staunchly refused. She knew deep down that, if Tessa lost, it would be game over for all them, no matter how far they tried to run.

Gabriel had quickly recovered his footing, launching into a spin that brought his wingtips dangerously close to the trio trying to stay out of the battling angels' way. With a battle cry Tessa launched herself skyward again, her foot impacting Gabriel hard on the back as she descended. Forced to the ground, he flipped over onto his back just in time to dodge a vicious swing of Tessa's sword. As the blade buried itself in the earth, Gabriel crashed his elbow into the hilt, dislodging her grip. With a powerful kick of his own, he sent Tessa flying backwards. Using his legs to flip himself to his feet, he grabbed Tessa's sword, bringing it up with the intention of slashing it down upon her head.

Tessa anticipated his move, deflecting her own blade and elbowing out of his hand. She rushed forward, driving her knee into his stomach, but he absorbed the blow with a grunt, wrapping his arms around her waist and slamming her to the ground. She would've cried out as she felt more of her ribs crack but the air was forced from her lungs on impact. She pulled out her knife, but he knocked it away with ease.

Gabriel made to rise, but Tessa swung her leg around to crash into his skull. He flailed back, his wings pumping to help him regain his balance. Tessa struggled to her feet, her already limited strength waning. She spotted her sword laying on the ground a few meters away, the only hitch to reaching it was Gabriel. He stood between her and her sword, tying to predict her next move. With another yell, she propelled herself into the air, flipping over his head to land within perfect reach of her sword. Her fingers closing on the hilt she stood, whirling to meet the archangel.

She knew the moment she heard Audrey scream that she had miscalculated. Gabriel's left wing skidded along her breastplate, the metal screaming as one deflected the other. However, his right wing was angled differently. It sliced across her neck just below her collar. Stunned, she fell back, hitting the ground hard as blood started to flow from the wound. She lay on the ground as her breathing became laboured, her hand half-heartedly rising to the slash across her throat, her fingers coming away drenched with blood. She knew she had lost. It was deep enough to have killed a mortal, but she was an angel. It took a lot more to kill her. Still, it was enough to take her out temporarily as she healed, especially given the previous abuse her body had sustained. Her body was, in simplest terms, in shock and was abjectly refusing to move again. It was enough to give Gabriel an opening.

Sorrow once again present on his features, he stood over her, his knife once again in his hand, ready and waiting to finish her. He was refusing to let his tears fall, but as he looked down on his former lover, the look of calm acceptance on her face tore at him, ripping his tenuous resolve to shreds. His features twisting, he turned to the trio cowering against the rock face. Stepping over Tessa as she slowly lost consciousness, he walked purposefully toward Charlie and the baby, raising his knife as his features contorted in anguish. Audrey was despondent, not quite able to believe what had just happened.

"How could you?" Gabriel froze as the teenager voiced the thought his heart was lamenting. She glared at him, her fury lending strength to her weakening body. "You loved her and yet you fucking kill her! And now you're going to kill a baby? You fucking bastard! If you really loved her you wouldn't even think of doing this!" Gabriel felt his own fury and self-loathing blaze up into an inferno as his arm coiled to strike, a hoarse cry coming from his lips, giving voice to his misery and heartbreak. He felt like his very soul was shattering.

As he tensed to bring the knife flashing down, the heavens opened up, nearly blinding him with light. Charlie and Audrey screamed, trying to shield themselves while Gabriel staggering back. He flung his arms and wings up to protect his eyes as another winged form landed between him and the child. As the figure straightened, Gabriel lowered his arms, astounded beyond belief to see his brother standing there, whole, before him.

Michael stood in his full angelic glory before Gabriel, his features tranquil as his armour and restored wings gleamed in the unearthly light. Awe and disbelief flooded through him at the sight of his brother alive. Michael straightened as the initial burst of light faded, his pale-blue eyes appraising his brother. The hilltop plateau was silent as the two brothers stood staring at each other, not even noticing the others around them anymore. Gabriel couldn't believe his eyes.

"This can't be. You've disobeyed him." His words were soft and staggered with incredulity. Michael fixed his brother with a hard stare.

"You gave him what he asked for. I gave him what he needed." Gabriel suddenly felt the weight of what he had done descend upon him, making it hard to breathe. He could only stare at the ground, struggling to come to terms. His gaze shifted to Tessa's frightfully still form for the briefest instant. Self-loathing seethed through him, his face contorting in fury at what he had done. Michael, still watching him carefully, deliberately raised his sword, his own anger evident in his eyes. Gabriel charged, knowing before he even moved what was about to happen. He wasn't even sure he cared anymore, so he lunged forward anyway.

As he brought his knife down in a blazing arc, Michael deftly stepped to the side, slashing his keen blade low. Dropping slowly to his knees as his knife fell from his hand, Gabriel closed his eyes briefly as the pain across his belly bloomed to engulf his senses in agony. Michael steadily lowered his sword, the blade shining with a light coating of blood. He turned to face his brother, a firm resolve lighting his eyes. He lifted Gabriel's chin with the tip of his blade, not caring as the spectators watched on in astonishment.

The Messenger of God met his gaze without flinching, ready and willing to receive whatever justice Michael was prepared to give.

"Do it." Gabriel's voice betrayed his longing for Michael to take his retribution. Michael's desires visibly battled on his face; his sudden thirst for revenge verses the love and sympathy he bore his brother. Disobedience had never been an action that Gabriel was capable of, and he could see the toll it had taken on his brother's soul. Several long, tense seconds passed as the Archangel warred with himself. Gabriel was beginning to lose control, almost desperate for Michael to strike.

"Do it!" Grief replaced the conflict on Michael's face as he slowly began to shake his head, his sword dropping until the tip brushed the ground. More than duty ruled his heart, and the love he bore his brother was too deeply ingrained.

"No." His answer was almost to soft to hear as he slowly turned away, unable to bear the devastation on Gabriel's face. After a moment he sheathed his sword. The wounded archangel got to his feet, somehow managing to wrest his emotions in check.

"I would not have shown you such mercy." His tone was almost contemptuous, but to Michael that only showed how deep his brother's pain went. He refused to look at his brother.

"I know," Michael's voice hardened as his gaze fell on Tessa, "That's why you failed Him." Gabriel's eyes stayed focused on Michael while shame and sorrow threatened to overcome him again. He fell to his knees again with a heavy thud; unable to make himself move any further.

The instant Gabriel sank to the ground, Michael was at Tessa's side, not even caring to pay attention to the others. Charlie was beside him almost immediately, tears streaming down her face as the baby squirmed in her arms.

"Is she alive?" Charlie's quiet voice trembled. Jeep followed close behind, supporting a very weak Audrey. Michael took Tessa's face in his hands, stroking away the dirt and tears that marred her pale skin.

"Yes, just barely, but even now her body is healing." The new mother sighed in relief, but was quickly replaced with worry. Tessa's eyelids fluttered as if she couldn't decide whether to wake or sink deeper into unconsciousness. Taking her small hand in his own, Michael pressed it to his cheek as he willed her to open her eyes. Audrey, who was now sprawled out beside the unconscious angel, reached out and touched her hand, wrapping her fingers around Tessa's still bloodstained ones. When the teenager spoke her voice was weak and thick with tears.

"If she's healing, why isn't she waking up?" The wound on the angel's neck had already stopped bleeding, and many of her other injuries were already scabbing over thanks to her supernatural nature. But her breathing continued to slow, growing steadily shallower. She just didn't seem to want to wake up. Michael felt his grief threaten to overwhelm him as he gripped her hand tighter, pressing a desperate kiss to her leather-clad palm. Shifting, he pulled her into his arms, still holding her hand to his face.

"Please, Tessa." He rested his forehead on hers, squeezing his eyes shut, "come back to me. I'm right here." Time seemed to stand still, everyone on the plateau hoping against all hope for Tessa to hear him and open her eyes.

Slowly, her fingers flexed against his cheek. Michael's eyes shot open.

Tessa's eyelids fluttered again, and this time they opened revealing her clear-blue eyes. Confusion filled them only to be replaced with elated disbelief. Her fingers traced his features as she assured herself that he really was there before they dropped to lie over his heart. It was whole and beating beneath his breastplate, untouched by the spike that tore through it what seemed like an age ago. She lifted her eyes to meet his pale blue gaze, something she'd never thought she'd do again.

"I thought you were gone. I saw you die." Michael started to laugh quietly in relief, pulling her closer as her arms wrapped around him. He inhaled the scent of her hair, rejoicing at the feel of her in his arms. As he'd faced off with his brother he'd thought he would never have the opportunity to hold her again. As a result, he held her tighter.

"I thought I had lost you too." The two angels clung to each other with no inclination to part. Charlie laughed too, a watery smile lighting up her face as Jeep pulled her and the baby into a tight hug.

Audrey leaned weakly back against the outcropping of rock at her back, her own smile coming to her lips. Movement beyond the little cluster of people caught her eye. Looking over, she saw the hunched form of the defeated archangel. As he leaned back, she caught sight the profound relief suffusing his features. He looked over, inadvertently catching Audrey's gaze with his own.

The sorrow in his eyes was almost enough to make her weep, and the remorse moved her to forgive him without so much as a second thought. Even a few hours earlier, she could've never imagined forgiving him; she wouldn't even have considered it. But now, after witnessing what had happened on this forlorn plateau, doing otherwise seemed wrong.

From across the rocky outcropping, he somehow saw this in her pain-filled eyes, sitting straighter in bewilderment. He had nearly killed her on so many occasions this night that the thought of her forgiveness was beyond anything he could've imagined. Even now, he could see the faint glow around her that signaled how close to his realm she was. Her injuries were too severe, and he could tell she knew that. After a few more moments, she tore her gaze from his. He slowly got to his feet, ignoring the pain in his abdomen that threatened to keep him down. The young woman turned to the angels sitting just a few feet from her. As she spoke, her voice was thoughtful and almost too soft to be heard. Her breathing was becoming increasingly laboured, alarming Charlie and Jeep.

"Michael," The archangel looked up, the relief and joy on his face dimming as he saw the aura that was beginning to surround the teenager, "what . . . what happens . . . when you die? I mean . . . what's going to happen . . . to me? Will . . .will I see my . . . my parents?" Tessa pulled herself straighter, her attention focused completely on Audrey. Charlie gasped, her free hand flying to her mouth as Audrey spoke. Jeep looked at her in alarm.

"No. No, Audrey, we'll get you help." He glanced at the angels quickly, "right? We won't let anything else happen to you!" Audrey smiled faintly, her eyes losing focus.

"Thank you, Jeep . . . but it's alright . . . I'm not . . . I'm not going anywhere anymore." Tessa scooted forward, lifting the teen's face to meet her gaze. Neither spoke, a silent understanding passing between them. Tessa smiled faintly, stroking Audrey's hair back from her face.

"It will be all right. We'll be here to guide you." That's when she noticed Gabriel standing a few feet away. The archangel had moved closer to the little group, looking about as meek and small as someone of his stature could. Michael frowned a little at his brother's approach, while Jeep tensed, placing himself between the angel and Charlie. Gabriel almost grinned sardonically at the boy's action, but his attention was on the dying young woman in front of him. Audrey looked up at him placidly, her eyes surprisingly clear while her body was losing its fight to keep going.

"I will take her." Michael looked at his brother in bewilderment, while Tessa's face showed understanding. She had always seemed to understand him, especially when he was conflicted. Now, as he looked down on the broken and dying body of Audrey Anderson, he knew what he had to do. Jeep's frightened eyes turned from one angel to the next, not comprehending what was happening. Then again, as a mortal he wasn't likely to understand until his own death drew close. Charlie had moved out from behind Jeep to sit next to Audrey, holding the baby between them both. Audrey smiled as she looked into the tiny little face she'd helped to deliver. Feeling like her emotions were about to get the better of her again, Charlie leaned in, giving the girl a kiss on the forehead.

"I don't think you'll ever know just how grateful I am to you, Audrey." The teen laughed a little before the pain in her chest forced her to stop. It took a few breaths before she could find her voice.

"I didn't . . . do a whole hell of a lot . . . except cause trouble." The waitress wrapped her arm around Audrey's shoulders.

"You were willing to die for us. That is a lot." On the verge of tears, Audrey nodded, leaning into Charlie's embrace. She looked around at each of the people around her. Jeep nodded, afraid to speak should his emotions get the better of him. He felt he needed to be strong now for Audrey's sake. Tessa smiled reassuringly and Michael bowed his head in respect, his blue eyes kind and peaceful for the first time since he'd stepped out of the police cruiser days earlier. With a sigh, Audrey finally turned her eyes to Gabriel, who came to kneel beside her. He bowed his head for a moment, regret etched deeply into his features when he looked up.

"I am sorry for what has been done, and this is the least I can do." Audrey smiled a little, considering the penitent archangel beside her.

"It's enough." Gabriel leaned forward, picking up the teenager with more delicacy than one would expect from a man of his size. Without hesitation, she wound her arms around his neck, holding on even though there was no way he was going to let her fall. The others got to their feet as Gabriel stood, careful not to jar the young woman in his arms as her earthly body grew still where it lay on the rocky ground.

With one last look at the two angels and the two mortals, Gabriel launched the two of them into the air with one beat of his iron-grey wings. 

A/N: Thanks for reading!

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