**Hey readers! Ok so before I had combined chapters 9-11 into one chapter and just now I went and separated them into three different chapters. I can't tell if the chapters are in order or not, so if it doesn't go from chapter 9 to chapter 10 to chapter 11, then please tell me!
Quote: "What if I fall?"..."Oh, my darling, what if you fly?" ~~Unknown **

Chapter 10

Waking up on a Monday seems surreal. First it was the explosion at the theater, then it was the history lesson on angels at Nate's house, and then it was about a hundred other things. Now I have to head to school to talk about food in Spanish and to use formulas in Algebra 2. Why couldn't I just be excluded from school? I mean I'm an all-powerful angel with powers that no one compares and I still have to go to school?

Pulling myself up, I stare around the guest bedroom I share with Pepper. The guest room is the same as always. A lime green brightens up the walls with little stylish mirrors hanging everywhere. What I see reflected back is a girl with a rats nest for hair.

Sighing I crawl out of the one of two twins sized beds in the room. Pepper is already up and applying a scary amount of makeup that looks surprisingly natural on her. Her dark curls are perfectly round and tiny and her mocha skin reflects beautifully in the morning sun light.

Jerk. My mean thought comes as I notice dark circles ringing my eyes. Too bad I don't like wearing makeup. I'd probably decrease the number of mirrors I break when looking into them.

"Don't even start with that negativity marring that face of yours. It's a sunny day with not a cloud in the sky and we are going to enjoy it!" Miss sunshine flounces past me in a bright, coral ankle length skirt that ruffles right at the bottom. Her white T-shirt is tightened with a large brown belt that only adds to her curves. Dangly bracelets hang off her wrist as she passes me with a hip bump. Like I said; jerk. But her overly bright smile is too friendly not to return.

Quickly getting over my sleepiness I rush into the bathroom to do a quick job of showering and brushing my teeth. I am already late so there is no time for breakfast. If I'm late for my Spanish class I will have to stand in front of class and talk about my whole weekend. In Spanish of course.

I run a comb through my hair, tighten a towel around myself and then I step out into the hallway. When I start towards the guest bedroom Eliza steps from her room fully decked out in her bright clothing. From yellow skinny jeans and combat boots, to a sleeveless black shirt with a white lightning bolt in the center.

She smiles and stops in front of me. "I hear you are going to be having a busy schedule for about...forever. But don't worry you won't miss me too much. I will be there to teach you sword fighting lessons. We will also be doing homework together, so all fun quality girl time."

"Don't mess with me. I'm not really in the mood, alright. I've got two quizzes today and after school it's work and then fighting training. Then if I'm lucky I can eat and finish homework."

"I didn't think you did your homework." Her teasing grin sets me off my nerves a bit and I'm grateful. Even if getting rid of jumpy nerves meant being messed with.

"Ha-ha, very funny. Now give me ten minutes and I will be ready and out. I can drive all three of us to school."

"Good luck then!" I stop and turn around to ask her what she meant by that, but she had already disappeared.

Muttering about stupid angel advantages I walk into my shared room and stop cold in my tracks when I see various items of clothes laid on both the beds. I just barely catch sight of Pepper's dark hair in the large walk-in closet.

"What are you doing?" At my words Pepper swings around with a pair of leggings clutched in her hands and a sweet smile on her face.

"There is no way I'm letting you go to school in those plain, boring clothes that you so like to wear. And besides you need more of a selection then what you have left in a bag. I'm just about your size anyway. That dress fit you yesterday didn't it?"

"You were the one who dropped my dress off?" Well that's still creepy but at least I know who was in the bathroom while I was taking a shower.

"Of course! Nate was taking you on a date and I needed you looking your best. Now sit and wait, I've almost got the perfect outfit for you. I just need some jewelry to top it off."

A sudden fear grips me at the thought of what she's going to dress me in. Bright pink leopard leggings with a silky dress to go over them? I shiver at the thought. But the only thing that stops me from telling her no way is the heels I see lining the wall. My obsession with them never ceases to tempt me. One good thing comes out of being short; I can wear any kind of heels I want and not look ridiculously tall.

It only takes her a few minutes to sift throughout the piles of clothes in each bed to pick out an outfit that fits my love of dark clothes. She gives me white washed jeans with tall heeled grey boots to go over them. She also hands me a matching grey long sleeve shirt that has a dark fringed scarf to wrap around my neck. Apparently she didn't find any jewelry for me. Everything fits me perfectly, except the shirt is a bit tight.

For once I appreciate her tasteful eye for design. She seems to like my smile as we head out of our room, arm in arm.

"Now I will let you borrow any of my clothes on one condition." She waits for my reluctant head nod in agreement before carrying on. "You and I need to find a weekend to just shop until we drop for your new clothes! We should also bring that Ivy girl with us. She has a nice sense of style."

Her words make me stop in surprise. Before I can ask anything more Eliza walks towards us from the kitchen in her electric pants. "We aren't bringing that Walker anywhere with us. We know nothing about her and we have no solid Intel on if she's clean."

"Then why would Nate offer to train her and let her in the army?" I ask.

"Because he has this thing that if any angel is in need of help he will give it. A really idiotic idea that's going to get us killed one day. Also if he even catches a whiff of betrayal he will slit her throat, no problem." Eliza hefts her book bag on her shoulder and shrugs with an evil smirk. "Besides, after two weeks in Jem's boot camp that Walker will be running back to wherever she came from."

She laughs at my intimidated expression. "I'm sure you figured it out by now that being a soldier isn't going to be easy. You girls may feel the need to shop for dresses and everything, but the first thing you are to get is some workout clothes."

Just what I want to hear. More exercises. "Fun. Now let's get to school. Señor Simpson is going to kill me if I'm late."

They both just roll their eyes at my urgency to go to school.

While I drive my old truck to the school they talk animatedly about neutral things, like movies and shows. Pepper even try's to get Eliza to admit she likes all those nerdy movies that Royce has made her watch, but Eliza isn't talking. They sound like best friends. Bickering, laughing, and teasing. It makes me feel guilty for being the reason that they had to hide their friendship for the last three years. If I knew who Pepper was but I had to act like she wasn't my friend I would be more than devastated.

A sudden flurry of nervousness overtakes me as I pull into our school parking lot. I'm not looking forward to the confrontation of other teenagers. I'm sure they heard about my house blowing up and my dad being hospitalized. Now I'm just adding to the list of the town freak. Someone who only has one friend stays to herself and has never really fit in. In my school it's not a good thing to wear a Doctor Who T-shirt or read books in your free time.

A warm hand rubs my shoulder and I look into the back seat to see Eliza's defiant eyes staring back. "If anybody says anything to you I'll knock 'em out. Okay?"

I nod gratefully and pull a straight face, not letting anyone see the pain underneath my mask. All of us three step out and start to the school, our books weighing us down. Even though I try and stay out of sight, Pepper smiles and waves at a few other girls.

Like a hawk Vicki stands at the school entrance a sly smile on her face. Her claws dig into a designer bag as she watches me approach. Of course she is wearing a skirt that cuts off at a dangerous length so that it tests the schools limit on the slut scale-Oops, I mean short scale.

I visibly see Eliza straighten up. Even Pepper, the happy nice girl, seems to grow a bit ridged herself. I really don't want them drawing attention to themselves for me. I stop right before I get to the dozen steps that lead up to the school entrance.

"Listen, she's nothing but a pest. You both just go in before me and I will follow. I can take care of myself." I try to leave no room for argument in my command. Amazingly Eliza doesn't argue. She just grabs Pepper's arm and walks her up those stairs like a drill sergeant.

I never take my eyes off the doors as I march up the stairs myself. But of course Vicki moves to intercept me.

"So you first think that you have a chance with someone like Nate, and then you try and come to school in this getup to draw more attention to yourself? The whole 'poor me, I have a mean daddy' act was just ridiculous. And now this?" Seriously, I am starting to wonder if she gets her lines straight out of some cheesy high school drama.

"Ah yes, because I always screamed that fact out loud to everyone. Now move I have a class to get to." Vicki has never had the sharpest mind but she was able to see past my father's fake act and guess that things weren't so peachy for me at home. She's always loved using it against me.

"If you start trying to get attention again with this whole house burning down thing then I'm going to have to let it slip that your daddy likes to give you a little bruise for the fun of it. Just imagine what the teachers would do. You can't fit in, you're a freak." She plants her hands on her bony hip and gives me the full force of her icy glare. She's always hated whenever the attention was taken from her.

"Ah yes, you and your friends have been making that perfectly clear for the past four years." I feel my insides twist at her words. I'm a freak.

And then I spot Nate walking towards me from the inside of the school, a breathtaking smile on his face. No, I'm not a freak. I'm an angel with a gorgeous fiancé.

So I smile and wave at Nate as he comes to stand right next to me, completely ignoring Vicki.

"Thanks for the tour of the town, Marie. Maybe this weekend we can have another date. I really enjoyed these past few days." When a squeak comes out of Vicki, Nate turns to her with a friendly smile. "Hey, I'm sorry have we met before? I can't seem to recall your name."

Her spray-tanned face goes beet red. She has never had anyone in her life tell her that they don't remember her. With a dramatic fluff of her bleached hair she turns on her spiked heels and fast walks into the school.

As soon as she is out of ear shot I burst into laughter and without thinking I wrap my arms around Nate's neck in a fierce hug. I feel his laughter rumble through his chest as he peels my arms off.

"Now we are supposed to act like we only just met." There is a spark of understanding in his eyes that tells me he knows what I had been thinking before he came around.

"Thanks." I say that word with a meaning that goes beyond what just happened.

"Of course. Now let's get to class." He slides his hand over mine and with interlaced fingers and a huge smile on my face we walk through the doors, hand in hand. My Monday just got a little bit better.

We separate after I get my books and he walks away to his first period class. Just seeing him go puts me into a slower mood.

My first four classes go by in a breeze. I write, work, and when I'm called on I answer questions. The teachers are all in a sour mood, as they always are on Mondays. Vicki is only in my English class which is right before lunch and so I have a mini celebration when the bell finally rings and I know I'm down with the overdramatic ice queen for the day.

As I walk out of Mr. Williams's class and into the wave of students I am suddenly glad for my heels. They give me a sudden height advantage to see over others heads on where my friends might be.

When a pair of drooling girls walk against the tide of bodies, I know that Nate must be near. Walking a little faster, I practically ram into Irene, a girl from my Chemistry class with shoulder length, bright pink hair. She has Chinese features sharpening her features and she talks a mile a minute. The gossip girl.

"Hey Irene. What are you up to?" I ask with genuine suspicion. Nobody really bumped into Irene without her wanting something.

"Oh come on. I'm not up to anything! I swear I'm just walking to lunch. Yep, getting lunch. Yum." But her eyes study me with an intensity that can only mean one thing.

"Alright, what is it you want to know?" Better just get it over with.

She doesn't waist a second. "Is it or is it not true that you and the new boy, Nate are dating? Because I heard from Kim, who heard from Sam, who heard from Andy, who saw Vicki get all upset about you two talking."

I blink a few times and try to remember who said what but after the second name I pretty much blanked out. Her mouth moves too fast.

"He just got here last Friday and school started the month before. I haven't exactly gotten into a deep committed relationship with him." That's an understatement, but I make sure to put a lot of sarcasm in there.

"So you two aren't dating? Are you sure?" Wow, isn't that what I just said?

"You know what Irene, he and I have actually been secretly dating for the last few hundred years," I lean in and whisper to her like I'm telling her a deep dark secret, "but don't tell anyone because it could get us killed."

Irene stares at me for fourteen seconds exactly before bursting into laughter and trying to pull off a scowl at the same time. But it's just near impossible to look angry with neon hair. She walks past me this time and goes to the lunchroom.

When I look up I realize that we were the only ones in the hallway. Everyone else must have been at lunch. Instead of going into the lunch room I start my usual trek to the gym. Even if Lily stuffed my lunch box with delicious food, I still don't enjoy eating so much.

When I get to the double doors I have to throw all my weight against them to get them to separate. The school has yet to fix their stickiness. Only the gym isn't empty like I'm used to.

Eliza, Pepper, and Nate already sit at the top, talking amongst themselves. Walking closer I am able to see their faces better, and what I see is seriousness that goes beyond school related things.

With quick, agile footsteps I'm up at the top in no time. I stand next to Nate and he looks up at me. But no smile crosses his face.

"What's happened?"

"I just got a phone call from Royce. I had a few hundred soldiers placed in Europe, because that is the known base of the Fallen army. My soldiers were to be hidden amongst the people. If needed they would take down a few Fallen, but mostly they had to keep tabs on our enemy and report back." Nate sighs and rubs his neck.

"Apparently they found our base and launched a full scale assault against our soldiers. Royce went down there this morning and has counted one hundred and forty three angels are dead. Only seventy three survived." Eliza says this without any emotion in her voice about the deaths of these soldiers and that worries me, but she nods at me to let me know she's okay about Royce being in the battle field.

"They were all fine soldiers and they will get a proper burial. But this shouldn't have happened." Nate rakes a hand through his already tousled hair and his eyes seem to grow darker. "Reports said that there wasn't any unusual activity going on. The Fallen almost seemed calm."

"Why wasn't I told about this? Don't you think that's a bit suspicious that they are suddenly dormant all of a sudden?" Eliza asks this impatiently, like she's already asked multiple times.

Pepper actually laughs. "Because you are suspicious of everything! Last week you swore that a little girl in pigtails was Fallen."

Nate gives Pepper a scary look since she isn't helping anything. "This activity had been going on for months now. I even had a few insiders go a little deeper to see if anything was up. But they found nothing."

"So we have a mole in our ranks or our insiders have turned and told them our plans. Because how would they know we were watching them enough to secretly build up their strengths?" Eliza is getting all excited at the idea of a mole. I can almost see her planning an attack.

"Don't jump to conclusions." Nate looks weary but his voice stays strong and defiant. "I'm going down to Europe myself. I've lost too many angels to sacrifice more. Eliza, you are going with Royce and I."

No...they can't leave. I just learned the truth and now they are going to Europe, for who knows how long! I finally have a family, one that actually makes me happy.

"Give us a moment will you." Nate commands and I have the uncanny feeling that he can tell exactly how I feel. Eliza and Pepper get up and start down the steps. I barely notice the harsh vibrating beneath me as I turn to Nate.

"What do you think you're doing? You're the general of an army. If something happens to you..." If something happened to him I would know exactly what to do. Hunt down whoever took him away from me and kill them.

Whoa, violent thoughts. That's new for me, but it was true. I didn't want anyone that I loved dying. Not for me and not for the sake of some stupid war.

"Nothing's going to happen to me. In every life I live until my back arches with age and my eyes grow blurry." Yeah right, he probably had all the old ladies at his doorstep. "I'm not going to leave you, Marie."

I feel a slight blush catch up to me as I stare anywhere but his dark, knowing eyes. "No need to make me sound so selfish."

"Isn't that what you were thinking? That the last thing that you want to happen is for me to leave you."

"I was just thinking that if anything happened to you the army would be lost." I'm not admitting to anything.

Oh no- not those eyes. Nate raises one eyebrow perfectly, something I've been wishing I could do for years, and his eyes grow all soft. "Really? Because I was thinking that what I really want to do is stay home, watch stupid comedies, and hold you in my arms like a normal couple. I believe that's what 21st century couples do." My God, how does he always know just what to say to a girl?

Instead of showing his humorous smile he gently brushes a finger across my cheek and down to my collar bone. Closing my eyes I try not to think of how much I'm going to miss him. I've only remembered him from three days ago but I've known him for ages. Literally.

"But..." Nate says this slowly and leans so close to me I really wish we were somewhere more comfortable than the schools cold hard bleachers. He reaches his hand up and slowly brushes the hair away from my shoulder. I don't dare close my eyes again. His minty breath brushes the soft skin of my neck as he leans right next to my ear. "We never were a normal couple to begin with now, were we?"

I jerk back from his kneading fingers and stare at him with anger in my eyes. This scene is reminding me of the other memories I have had already. "Then why did you come back at all? You knew that you would have to leave all the time and yet you get close to me again. You enroll into school and-"

"First off, sweetheart," I can hear the annoyingly condescending tone coming through, he must know I hate pet names, "I only enrolled in this high school so I could keep a closer eye on you. After three years of having Eliza watch you, the Fallen seemed to be making a closer route to this town. So with a lot of fake documenting I, a twenty year old mind you, got back into this hell forsaken hole for you. And let me tell you something. I'm your Guardian first, a general second, and your soulmate third."

My fist starts forming and I know that one more word from his obnoxious mouth is going to push me over the edge. "Did you really just say that?" It's the only thing I can process at the moment. Too much pissed off energy, a little hurt and too many questions float around me. He's twenty...two years older than me. What the hell is a soulmate? I really hope it's not what it sounds like. Did he really just call me sweetheart?

Nate has the common sense to look serious at the moment but it doesn't take away the harsh reality of his words. I feel an overwhelming sense of sadness and loneliness, like I've been fighting this losing battle for many lives.

But that doesn't mean I can't get up and stomp off like a four year old. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I get up to do just that when his hand comes to stop me.

"Don't do this. I know you have a problem with me leaving and you don't really get everything yet with your memory. I should be trying to comfort you not goad you into a fight." Nate runs a hand through his hair and he looks absolutely exhausted at the prospect of leaving me and going off to count dead bodies and assess the damage. The last thing he needs is a tantrum from me.

Taking a deep breath to push back my anger I kneel on the steps in front of Nate and slide my hands into his. "When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow evening." His dark eyes meet mine and they look so sad that I scramble for something, anything to make his cocky smile come back. Ignoring the pain of him leaving so soon, I smile slyly.

"Well that gives us enough time to go for date number two. Maybe this time you can go into a full-blown battle with another angel. Make things interesting." My intentions work because his eyes spark suddenly with a challenge.

"Oh, but have you forgotten? Your schedule is full, and Jem is not a person to mess with when it comes to training." He stands up and pulls me up with him so we only stand inches apart.

"Then how about that be our date? You convince Jem to let you train me for tonight and I'm sure it will be just as enjoyable as ice cream." Sarcasm drips off my words.

"You've got yourself a date- I mean a deal." He plants a small kiss on my cheek and then before I can even blink he has me in his arms and we've vaulted to the gym floor.

"Hmm...I could get used to this." I say against his soft T-shirt as he carries me the rest of the way across the gym. The only answer I get is a smirk.

***

"Miss, could I have a cup of coffee, black no sugar?" The old man at the booth next to the swinging door raises his empty mug into the air and waves at me urgently.

Jeez dude, calm yourself. That's your third cup tonight. Of course I just smile and walk along the length of the black granite bar to where the large coffee machine steams. Grabbing a pot I walk back to him and pour the hot liquid into his cup.

My dad's café is packed with the usual people. Loners. Teenagers. Couples. Caffeine addicted old men. The interior is in shades of black and grey glass and tile. I love everything about it except one thing. The girl who works as a waitress here: Vicki.

Just my luck. Since I haven't been to work in a few weeks my dad hired her and some new teen my age. He's quiet and reserved. When I return the coffee pot back to its holder I manage to catch a glimpse of him at the register.

Tall, at least six foot one, and skinny. His dark hair matches his skin and it is shaved close to his head. Although I can't see his eyes I can only guess hey are a soft brown as well. He wears slim glasses that suit his angular face. In the required black uniform he looks even darker. Like a skeleton in robes.

Whoa, the skeleton is pretty good looking. My thought brings no regret out of me because it's true. He looks friendly and his eyes green not brown, are staring right at me. Wait what? Turn away, turn away!

Swiveling to the right I look down the long row of booths lining the window and for once hope that there is some annoying customer who needs my assistance.

"Checking out the new guy, are we? Haven't you gotten your fill of new guys for one day?" The high pitched voice comes from my left behind the bar. With a face reserved for terrorist's and puppy kickers I turn to Vicki and wince at her work outfit. How she managed to get skinny jeans past the clothes restriction I will never know.

How does she walk in those foreign spikes? They look like daggers super glued to shoes. "Are you listening to me?"

"Of course, you are the most interesting thing in the world. We should all drop everything we are doing to listen to your words of wisdom." The poor girl looks confused on whether I was telling the truth or being sarcastic. Wow, I pity the idiots of this world.

"Just...get back to work." Vicki try's to cover her hopeless confusion with indifference but I know better.

"Yes sir!" I give her a little salute and I feel a great amount of satisfaction when she looks even more rattled.

Her heels click clack away as she heads to an impatient couple. When my laughter tumbles out of my mouth I throw my head back and just laugh louder. I don't care if I look demented, it feels good to just not care or worry.

Turning to look for anymore costumers in waiting I don't know what it is but I can tell someone's eyes are on me. And it's not the creepy caffeine intoxicated old man. It's the good looking skeleton. Might as well go over and say hi while I can.

But by the time I've gotten over the counter he has a mother and two little rug rats at the register. Wait...no way its Evil 1 and Evil 2 from the ice cream shop! From the way they are chewing on their mother's purse I'm surprised she hasn't bopped them on their ginger heads. With a deep suffering breath I head over to the tired looking mom.

"Hi, we met once at the ice cream parlor yesterday. I was standing behind you with my fia-boyfriend." My voice is small, yet polite.

I expect her to just sigh and nod but she turns to me and smiles. "Yes I remember you. I must apologize for my boys. They can get fairly crazy when it comes to sugar." She laughs and her pale nose crinkles slightly. "But they do evil things when they have enough energy...which is always." We share a laugh and when I look down I realize red and red-er have disappeared.

"Uh..."

The woman frantically glances around and mutters something about the devil. "Don't worry, I will find them. You can sit and enjoy a coffee, on me." I place a hand on her shoulder as a surge of sympathy rushes through me. This poor woman.

"But...no it's alright I can take care of it. They're my children." The way she is staring at the black eye on the menu I can tell my invitation is welcoming.

"Just get this woman a medium coffee with sugar and a black eye to top it off. Some good energy to carry her on. Um..." I look at skeleton and realize I don't know his real name.

"Oh...it's Cass. And yeah I can do that." His voice is light and he smiles in a way that makes me feel like he's about to spout out some equations.

"Thanks, be back in a minute." Twirling around I assess the room. A double set entrance that leads out into the parking lot, booths and tables running the length of the room, and- the little creatures! By the knee height hand smears on the kitchen door I can tell that was their destination.

I don't waste anytime walking straight through the doors and letting my eyes roam the tiny kitchen. Boxes. Shelves. Food. Stove. Refrigerator...that's door is open and I don't see the head of a grown up in front of it.

By the time I've reached them I can tell it's going to take all my strength not to stuff them in a freezer box. They managed to get the cool whip from the top shelf and have completely had a full out war with it.

Ok I must admit that is a good, and delicious, way to have fun, but it's still a waste of cool whip.

Since their backs are turned to me I make it a quick and easy job to sneak up behind them, pull a stool up and sit, trapping them between the fridge and me. Their little hands still when they feel someone behind them and as they turn I grab the can from the first red head.

Their hazel eyes widen but their mouths stay in a perfectly evil line. "Ok, so here's the deal. You two will get a wet cloth and wipe all of this up, including yourselves. When you return to your mom you will apologize for running off and then go home and take a nap." I spout out with as much authority in my voice as I can manage.

The one on the right laughs and it sounds like a mini evil sorcerer in the process of growing. "What's your name kid?"

"I'm Ross." The one on the right, with the evil laugh, says.

"I'm Batman." The little lier on the left says this proudly, and he even puffs his chest out. This one seems slightly nicer, and it may or may not have to do with the fact of his great taste in super heroes.

"Ok little minions. Now the wet rags are over there-"

"What makes you think we are going to do what you want?" Ross crosses his arms and Batman does the same. "What will you give us in return?"

Maybe I will resist shoving this can up your nose. "If you do what I ask then I won't tell..." think, think....wait batman is wearing a batman cape. Hmmmm this is going to be fun. "Then I won't tell the Joker how bad you have been. What will Gotham think when the worst villain in the world try's to recruit you?"

Batman looks so stricken by my statement that he doesn't move a muscle. But Ross steps up to me and scowls. "How do you know the Joker? Are you one of his minions?" Batman and Ross step closer to each other at the new found threat.

"Of course I'm not one of his minions. We just met in a psych ward a few years back and we are still friends today." I lean back so that they can either go grab a rag or run out the door. It all depends on whether they believe my lie.

"So we clean up all this and then go say sorry to our mom and you won't say a peep to the Joker or our mom? The nap is optional." Ross says this like he would rather meet the Joker. "How can we know you will hold up your side of the deal?" Jeez this kid sounds like he's a lawyer. How old is he anyway?

I hold up the can of whipped cream and spray some on my tongue. "Open up Batman." I spray some in each of their mouths. "If you tell anyone that I did that I could get in trouble with my boss. So now we both have leverage against each other." Well that's not completely true, since the boss is still in the hospital I'm the one in charge of this place.

They look at each other and a moment of decision passes between them. Then their little eyes look back at me and they nod. "Deal." They chores together.

Twenty minutes later we three walk back out of the kitchen, all clean and shiny, and their mother looks energized and slightly apprehensive. "So did they cause you much trouble? It took a bit for you to come back."

I don't get a chance to reply as Batman and Ross walk up to their mother and wrap their arms around her legs. "We're sorry we worried you mom." Each of their words comes out at the same time. Creepy.

The woman couldn't have looked more shocked if the Joker himself had come in and battled Batman right then and there. "What did you do to them?" A smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she watches her son's race out to their car.

"We made a deal. I'm afraid they will only hold this attitude for tonight. Batman might behave better but-"

"Batman? Oh you must be talking about Ryan. He is just in love with that character and Ross likes to imagine he's Captain America." She smiles and laughs lightly. "Thank you by the way. They have been this way since birth and it's hard to keep up."

Her gratitude sends a wave of peaceful happiness through me. "It was my pleasure and maybe I will see you again. I'm Marie and if you ever stop by just ask for me and I will serve you."

The woman just keeps looking at me with a strange smile until finally she nods and holds her hand out for me to shake. "I'm Diane. It was a pleasure to meet you."

With that she strides out with a perk in her step as she goes to her car out front. I sigh and turn around to see if I am needed for anything to realize that most of the customers had emptied out in that short interval of time.

Glancing at the small clock above the entrance doors I see that its past five o' clock and my shift ended a few minutes ago.

Kerri, the cafés cook, and resident soccer mom comes out removing her apron. Her pixie cut blonde hair has a streak of blue down the front that takes away a little of the appearance of a loving devoted mom. It shows her old rebellious teenager streak that has ended her up as a twenty nine year old single mom with a twelve year old son.

"Are you leaving Marie or do you want to stick around and give Mr. Simon his fourth cup of coffee?" She points to the old caffeine-addicted man. I laugh a little too loudly and shake my head.

"I think I'm okay. How's Jake doing?" I ask referencing to her son.

"Oh you know what it was like in middle school. Trying to impress everyone by being the class clown and doing every sport known to man. I swear if that boy comes home with another broken arm from trying to balance on a baseball bat I'm going to flip."

"Well I will see you every night Monday through Friday for another month or two. Then I will see if I can find another to fill in for me while I focus on college." If I even go to college.

Before I can make it out the door Kerri grabs my arm and pulls me to a stop. "Marie, how is your father doing? I know that he is still in critical condition but I thought maybe you heard something more."

Wow, I hadn't thought about that man since Lily told me he might never wake again. Well it's what he's wanted since my mother's death. I need to see him myself though. If he dies then it's going to be a complicated mess, with paper work and a funeral we can't hope to pay for. The only good thing that I can count on is I'm already eighteen, a legal adult of the U.S.. I can go anywhere I want and be anyone I want. I guess that means I'm going to be an angel that can heal. A big dream to fulfill.

"I haven't been allowed to see him yet because they are trying to keep him stabilized on a machine so he doesn't need a nurse round-the-clock. But this weekend I should be able to go and see him."

"Do you know what caused the fire? I heard your father left a few bottles of beer still half full lying around and he tried to use a lighter but feel asleep with the lighter still on." Kerri is a nice woman but when she gets nosy it can be annoying. Want am I supposed to say? Oh, it was just a group of fallen angels, lurking around town out for mine and my friend's blood, just trying to make a point. Um, no.

"No I have no idea. Besides my dad doesn't smoke. Good night Kerri." I rush out before she can ask any more questions or speculate about the accident. When I am half a step away from my truck I remember the new guy. Cass. That's a strange name for a guy. I look back and spot him dealing with one of the last customers. He really does look quiet and reserved in his own little world.

Like he feels my eyes on him he looks up at me and meets my eyes. For a second he seems surprised I would be looking at him but he just waves his hand slightly in a good bye, and then quickly looks back to the customer with a slight condescending smile curling his lips.

What's strange is that for once I am meeting a stranger not some angel from my past or crazy red headed twins from the ice cream shop. Cass is someone new and completely normal and for once I feel relief. I've never loved mankind so much in my life.

***

"Marie! Pay attention or get skewered. It's your choice completely." Jem yells from the side of the room. Nate had convinced her to let him teach the lesson but she wouldn't leave the room and insisted on having Ivy start practice with me. So much for our date.

I keep my eyes glued to my feet as they shimmy along a three inch wide beam, held twenty feet in the air. To complete my lesson I have to walk across this beam, with two battle axes in each of my hands, and I have to in some way make it to the end and jump to the ground. That's the easy part. Jem has decided to randomly shoot arrows at my feet to keep me moving faster, and unless I'm paying attention to her to move quickly out of the way I will get an arrow in my foot.

"This...is pointless!" I pant and rush forward a few inches to avoid an arrow. Nate stands below ready to catch me if I...oh I don't know, fall to my death. Ivy is on the very end of the beam, behind me, with only a shield to weigh her down. But she has wings to fly off the end of this stupid beam, and I just have two human legs to help me jump to my death.

"The whole point of this is to see how agile you are even when you have the disadvantage of being a human. In this life time you need to be quick both physically and mentally to escape bad situations." Nate yells from underneath the beam. Why they suddenly trust Ivy to blurt this out in front of her I have no idea, but I think it's one of those 'if you tell I will kill you' kind of things. "Figure it out!"

Easy for him to say. He's down there. Suddenly the chains holding the beam up start to shake violently and it takes every ounce of cat-like skills I have to keep me on this beam. I bend my knees and look back at Ivy. She is floating a few inches above the beam with her highlighter pink wings.

"No cheating! What if there were arrows flying at you wings? You are giving the enemy a clear shot. Get back on the beam and help your partner!" Ivy, with a very terrified expression, lands gracefully back on the beam and looks at me. We hadn't even noticed Jem spread her wings and fly to the chains.

Then, like a sudden bright burst of sunlight my internal light bulb flickers on. I have a very idiotic idea that may just work.

Since the chains are angled outward I can't grasp onto any of them for support. I make quick work of bending low at the knees and scurrying forward so I'm only a foot away from the end.

Angling my head back towards Ivy I yell, "When I say jump, you jump and fly. I'm going to need you to grab me when I start to fall but I've got a plan. I'm putting my trust in you here Ivy."

Her honey colored eyes hardens and she nods at me with a slightly more determined look in her eyes.

I take a deep breath to steady my nerves and I block everything out. I block out the sight of Nate's watchful eyes from down below. Distraction. I block out the constant shaking of the chains as Jem rattles them and shoots arrows simultaneously. Distraction. I block out the height from where I'm at so my stomach is no longer churning. Distraction.

I just focus on my pale hands gripping the short battle axes. The last two chains are connected right in front of me. Raising one above my head I bring it down as hard as I can on the chain on my right. It gives a loud clang but doesn't break. Second hit. A scratch. Third hit. A dent. Fourth hit and the link is almost loose.

I bring my arm up high and I hear a scream in the background. But I don't care. I throw the ax in my left hand behind me and hope that Ivy catches the thing. Then I hold onto the chain with all my might and swing my remaining ax at the broken link.

"Jump!" I scream.

I've flown in the air with an angel already a few times and it feels peaceful and controlled. But this flying through the air with only a chain to keep me from falling is uncontrollable and scary as hell. Indiana Jones made it look so much easier every time he did it with his whip, maybe it's his cool hat. For some reason a rush of excitement rolls through me.

Oh my...I look up at my slipping fingers and try to remember what I planned for this moment...Ivy!

"Ivy!" My fingers suddenly lose their grip and I'm free falling, with my hair whipping in my eyes and my heart practically stopping. This is what I hate. Falling with nothing to secure me like I'm going to-

A force crushes me into darkness. If I was conscious I would have groaned at the realization that I am about to slip into a memory.

I sit in a swaying carriage and I listen to the constant clipping of horses hooves against cobble. From what I can see the carriage is almost entirely made of wood and I begin to think this is one of my earlier lives.

Nate sits across from me and scowls darkly at the passing trees around us. "You should have told me where you were going. Don't you ever listen? Or do words just float through your pretty little-"

"If you had been paying attention Nathaniel, to anything other than your drink you would have noticed me leave the tavern." I spit back at him with venom in my voice as I give the reins a quick snap to make the horses move faster.

Nate turns back to me to say something back but I can already feel someone pulling me out of the memory.

**Quote: "Be brave, my darling you have faced dark times before and you're still here now." ~~C.T.L **