CHAPTER FOUR

BY LARA WINNER

"That mother fucker!"

She slammed her fist against the steering wheel, gunning the gas pedal in her display of temper. Angrily, she jerked the object of her frustration sending the vehicle careening around a sharp corner. The sound of squealing tires echoed through the monotone murmur of the Central Business District. She smiled to herself as well-dressed men and women looked up, startled from their repetitious procession that crowded the city's sidewalks, only to watch with slack jaws as she hurtled the sleek black truck down the street not daring to adhere to speed limits.

Anger boiled in her blood, fury seeped through her pours charging the very air around her with a lethal energy. She still could not believe what she had just witnessed. If she had not seen it with her own eyes she would have scoffed at what could only be a falicy. But now she was not laughing, nor was she remotely amused. The great Heero, Hell's prefect soldier, had just saved the life of a worthless, upstart mortal.

A low growl rumbled in Dorothy's throat as she rounded another corner, narrowly missing waking pedestrians. Mentally she corrected herself, a small spiteful smile playing on her lips. That mortal girl was not worthless, she was just worth more dead than alive. It was a simple task really, to murder the young woman using any means possible. Only for the sake of time had Dorothy even considered using such quick and through means as a truck. But now with this new and disturbing situation coming to light, she realized it might indeed involve a personal visit with the CSI agent.

Despite the many torturously painful and grisly ideas that came to her mind, Dorothy found she could not summon up excitement. Instead she was assailed with a foreign sensation, her stomach knotting viciously in what she assumed was nervousness. Fear was unexceptable. Then again, so was faliure... She gripped the steering wheel tighter.

She did not fail. Akmen would be only too pleased to learn the valuable information she would bring back with her. It served him well to know that there were enemies on the inside, that any of his most trusted soldiers could be working against him. How could they do this? Did they want heaven to win? Did they believe they held a place within heaven's grandure?

She laughed bitterly.

There was no other place for the damned besides the welcoming fires of hell. And what a grand home it would become when it accepted the mortal realm into its dark embrace. Why couldn't her fellow demons see that god had forsaken those good-for-nothing, wretched mortals long ago. Countless times, under the guise of countless religions, god had set foot among his creations and many times they had turned on him. Through the ages she'd lost track of the many names, faces and faiths he had brought to his children.

But there was always Jesus, her personal favorite. That vain, pathetic attempt was one for the history books and she'd had the front row seat as they crucified him. Of course he could have been a little more humble. To walk among his people claiming to be their king and throwing it in their faces... Was it so surprising that they turned from his 'grace' and into the welcoming abyss of the darkness?

But all was not lost. There were many people in this mortal world that held fast to their faith. It was discouraging but it was also the very thing that could be used against them. If they could not be convinced to loose their faith then the only thing left to do was lead their faith astray. That in it's self was not a hard task and would become so much more simple if heaven were to fall before their very eyes. But that thought lead her right back to her original dilemma. For the sake of heaven falling to ruin the mortal woman has to die.

With a deep sigh, Dorothy finally began slowing the truck. Lost in her musings, she realized she had left the heart of the city behind and was now traveling through its underbelly. She gave a quick, appreciative glance to the dilapidated buildings noting the most of the structures were condemned and marked for leveling. Feeling more at ease with her surroundings, she pulled the truck to the curb and parked. She didn't even bother to turn of the engine as she opened the door and slipped to the ground. A dull ache radiated across her back, just beneath the skin, making her wince. She absolutely abhorred restraining her wings. At the thought her ill mood returned with a vengeance.

She arched her back, stretching it as best she could. Squinting from the glare of the mid-day sun, she kept her eyes averted to the ground as she began to walk. Beside the soft rustle of the breeze there was no sound to keep her company. She needed noise... some sort of diversion. With a casual flick of her wrist she channeled a blast of pure energy at the still running vehicle. A second later her entire body shook as the truck exploded into a ball of fire, sending pieces of metal and glass flying through the air. She barely felt the tiny shards slice her skin and she shivered in twisted pleasure at the subtle pain. The heat of the flames scorched her skin, basking her in the glow of orange and yellow. Adrenaline rushed through her body, flowing through her veins like mercury.

Engulfed in a moment of pure chaos, she felt herself expand beyond her temporary physical body, taking in the decay and filth that surrounded her. Her sensed picked up on everything from the rats, spiders and roaches that infested the tall over grown weeds and crumbling houses to the stench of urine and other bodily fluids seeping into the air from the sewer below the street. She breathed in deeply, then tensed as another presence caught her attention.

Not far away there were humans; she could feel the impure energy of their existence sticking out like a blinking sign among the natural rhythm of her surroundings. But this was different than the average person; these humans were emanating a violent, black aura. They were marked for hell. Dorothy smiled. Then why delay death and prolong their insignificant little lives when she could give them a one-way ticket where they belonged? Reluctantly, she reined in her power of perception and started toward the location where she sensed the pulsing biorhythms of the earth-bred scum.

She kept pace, following the pull of their black souls as one block turned to two then three. She turned a corner and then another and finally she caught sight of them. Her senses picked up once again and as she listened she heard the faint beginnings of music. Intrigued at the sound, she approached them cautiously as the strains of the guitar ripped through the silence in uneven chords, the tune off key and pleasingly chaotic...

"Somewhere between the sacred silence of sleep, disorder... Disorder... Disorder..."

Dorothy laughed.

The words were charming, eliciting excitement inside of her. She kept her cold gaze directly on the three men, boys really, and tried not to smile. They were a rag-tag lot, covered with tattoos, body piercings and dirty tattered clothes. One by one they turned to look at her, their eyes measuring her up and down. She knew her slim, willowy figure was revealed in the black skin-tight top and black leather pants she wore. Her long pale blond hair was a startling contrast, giving her a deceptively innocent look as it fell over her shoulders in a childlike fashion. She waited for one of them to make the first move.

She wasn't disappointed.

"Hey there pretty lady, are you lost?" The leader asked in a sickeningly sweet tone. His two friends snickered, all three rising from where they were sitting on crumbling porch steps around a battered radio.

"Maybe," she smiled, lowering her eyes seductively, "maybe not."

The second boy stepped up, his eyes jerking around wildly in nervous agitation. "We'll take care of you sweetheart."

Fighting the smile that threatened, she kept walking until the third boy stepped in front of her, blocking her way. He flashed her a smile showing his yellow teeth and from close up she could see dirt that caked his greasy dirty hair. The stench of his unwashed body was nearly overwhelming as he gripped her arm tightly, sneering. "Where do you think you're going girly?"

Before she could reply one of the others caught her from behind, clamping one hand over her mouth as his other hand pressed a sharp object against her throat. Reluctantly, she relaxed in his arms and tried to keep her patience with the situation. Their blood would taste much sweeter if she were able to take her time with them, but her fury was rising and it was taking everything in her to not rip open their throats and be done with them.

The idea was so appealing she felt her skin flush.

Her body trembled in anticipation. Her captor assumed it was fear and he chuckled against her ear, "There ain't nuthin' ta be afraid of darlin', juz be a good lil' girl," as he and his friends dragged her into the abandoned house.

The rotting wooden floorboards creaked under their weight as the boys' heavy footsteps echoed through the barren house. A quick glance around the room showed Dorothy the inside was in poorer condition than the outside. The windows were boarded up with planks of wood. The walls were cracked and filled with small holes that allowed tiny beams of sunlight to illuminate the darkness. The air was musty with many years worth of dust and dirt that coated the place. It suited her just fine.

Roughly, the young boys pushed her to the floor. Splinters of wood pierced the soft skin of her back as a heavy weight settled on top of her. Callused hands made burning paths over her flesh as her shirt was torn open. She bit back a soft moan, her back arching against the floor, as their grip on her arms and legs tightened to hold her down. The irony made her want to laugh. They had no reason to worry because she wasn't going anywhere. This was just beginning to get interesting. Physically, she was responding to their brutal treatment, her heart pounding and a tingling sensation beginning between her thighs. How long had it been since the last time she was fucked good and hard? To her surprise she couldn't remember. Corrupting priests for sport was hardly decent sex, actually it was more of a chore.

But this... this could be good...

**********

Gently Duo cradled Hilde's limp form against his chest as he nudged the door open with his foot. He crossed the small bedroom then gently laid her down on the soft mattress of his bed. He had brought her to the rectory unsure of where else to take her. She had fainted in shock and, from what little he knew, she would be disoriented when she regained consciousness. He hoped that laying her down was the correct thing to do because medical expertise was not his field.

"Is she hurt? What happened?"

Father Thomas's frantic voice broke the still silence and it was enough to let the fear that filled Duo come to the surface once more. Raking a trembling hand through his bangs he sighed, " I don't know. She just walked out of the Cathedral and a second later I heard tires squealing so I ran outside. This huge truck was heading straight for her. If that man had not pushed her out of the way..."

"They intended to hit her?" The priest asked softly, horror evident on his features. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. I saw it with my own eyes." Duo vowed as he met the older man's questioning gaze.

"Stay here Duo." Father Thomas commanded, "I'm going to call the police." He then turned and left the room.

Swallowing at the lump that seemed lodged in his throat, Duo pulled up his desk chair to the side of the bed and took a seat. His heart continued to pound furiously even as he tried to reassure himself that she was fine. He had almost lost her...again. The thought came unbidden to his mind but this time he didn't try to push it away. There was something so familiar about the feel of her body and the smooth softness of her skin, too familiar to be a coincidence.

He reached out, lightly brushing his fingers through Hilde's midnight hair in a soothing gesture. His fingertips grazed her skin and her head fell to the side seeking out his touch. Did she feel it too? It was like something was pulling them together, some force they couldn't see and didn't want to fight. And he was loosing the internal struggle every time he laid eyes on her. There was nothing pure about his thoughts as he'd stood in the isle watching her lithe body crawl about the floor to the confessional. And when she had stumbled in the Cathedral and he had caught her? It was a reaction, an innocent gesture so she wouldn't hit the floor face first. But there was nothing innocent in the way his body responded to hers, or in the way he wanted to touch her, and definitely not in the way he longed to pull her closer and fuel the fire that was suddenly roaring in his blood.

God help him, he was ready to sell his soul just loose himself in her bottomless blue eyes.

Yet despite everything, deep in his soul this didn't feel wrong. There was no guilt or remorse for wanting what he had no right to have. Instead he felt, as crazy as it sounded even to himself, like he missed her. Only last night he'd stayed awake till dawn trying to figure out what it all meant. Why in his dreams he relived memories that defied all his beliefs in God and the afterlife and why he felt like he knew Hilde inside out. He racked his brain trying to come up with any logical reasoning that would explain his predicament and he'd come up with a few interesting theories. However they were all shot straight to hell when he'd looked into the eyes of the man that had saved her life.

Heero...

It was like having a glass of ice water poured down his spine. The young man's name had come forth from his lips without conscious thought. All it took was one look in those hauntingly intense prussian eyes and again a memory flashed across his brain, another piece to the puzzle that was locked in his head...

..."She will be the death of you!" A soft voice warned.

He turned to face his friend with an insolent grin. "Spare me the lecture okay Heero." He started to turn away but feeling the tip of a silver sword pressed against his throat halted him mid step.

"I should kill you right now. Your transgression is unacceptable." Heero stated.

Unsure of the cold look on his friend's face, he felt a stab of betrayal. Feeling his own anger rise, he replied, "I deem what is acceptable for me and if Lucifer or Akmen, or even you have a problem with my decision then do what is necessary because you can not change my will."

He heard the mild surprise in Heero's voice. "You would give up everything?"

"Yes."

"Why?" Heero asked, confused. "What has she done to you?"

"I love her!" He hissed, knowing with his confession he had just sealed his fate.

A look of pure shock crossed Heero usually impassive features and his grip on his sword faltered. Slowly he lowered the blade to the ground. "Love?"

"Yes love. Now are you going to kill me or not?"

Heero's eyes narrowed. "You're an asshole, you know that?" He sheathed his sword muttering another curse, "But no one will hear any of this from me. Watch your back Duo."...

It had only taken a second for the young man named Heero to place Hilde into his arms, but it had been long enough for him to remember. Even now, the memory was so vivid and clear that Duo rubbed his throat as his skin tingled. He wanted to question his sanity but he had the sinking suspicion that this was very real. Duo could have sworn he'd seen the faintest smile cross Heero's face when he'd said his name.

But then the young man disappeared. Duo had looked down giving Hilde a quick once-over to make sure she was okay and then he looked back up and Heero was gone. Vanished into thin air. Didn't even make a sound. The eerie feeling still plagued Duo, making the hairs on his neck stand on end. No human could move that fast.

Had he truly been in the presence of a demon? Was the innocent looking young woman lying before him the reincarnated spirit of a fallen angel? And long, long ago, in another life, had he given her his heart? As absurd as is seemed he was actually beginning to believe it-

"Duo?"

Blue eyes fluttered open and he froze as Hilde sighed his name softly. Smoothing her hair away from her face, he forced a smile, "I'm right here."

As her vision came into focus on her surroundings a frown marred her pretty features. "Where am I?"

"I brought you to the rectory." When she arched one brow in question he asked, "Would you rather if I had left you on the street?"

A wry smile curved her lips. "I suppose not." Slowly, she began to push herself up on shaky arms.

"Are you okay? Do you want me to get you anything?" He asked, holding out his hand to help keep her steady.

She leaned against his arm seeming to press into him. She was so close, too close. He looked everywhere but into her eyes, feeling them staring holes into his skin. She had enough to contend with between a murder case with little to no evidence and an attempt made on her life. The last thing he wanted to do was confuse her even more with actions and feelings that had no place in the here and now.

"No thanks." Gently she brushed fingertips along his cheek and he tensed at the contact. "Duo, look at me."

He felt his mouth go dry and his breath catch in his throat. Against his will he complied with her wish and met her gaze unflinchingly. Deep, crystalline orbs, wide and questioning, stared back reminding him of the clear blue of a sky just before a storm.

Their turbulent depths were open allowing him to see the fear and uncertainty that she tried to keep at bay. Against his cheek her fingers trembled.

"This is crazy right? I hardly know you and yet..." She whispered. "What's going on?"

"I don't know." Helplessly, he shrugged.

There was nothing else he could say. He didn't understand this any more than she did. He moved to lean away, to put some distance between them, but it only served to bring their faces closer together. He could feel her warm breath brushing his lips. Slowly her hand moved to the back of his neck holding him to her. His gaze flickered down to her lips as she licked them nervously. The innocent action sent an erotic flush spreading from his chest to his groin. He wanted her in the worst way and it was getting harder for him to remember all the reasons why he should walk away right this second. He couldn't fight it, not as her face seemed to move closer, tempting him to taste her moist pink lips...

The sound of footsteps on the hardwood floor made them pull apart. Abruptly Duo stood and stepped away from the bed, his heart pounding with equal amounts of desire and shame. A delicate blush stained Hilde's pale cheeks but her eyes refused to leave his, even as they clouded over with regret.

"I'm sorry Duo, I shou-"

But the rest of her apology was cut off as Father Thomas returned to the room followed by two NOPD officers and another man that Duo recognized as a member of Hilde's CSI unit. Trying his best to clear his mind, Duo took opportunity of the distraction and made his way across the room and away from the young woman now sitting on the edge of his bed. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he leaned against the wall half hoping to fade into oblivion. And as the police began their questioning he mentally cursed himself every time his met hers knowing that if this was a test from God he was going to fail miserably.

*********

Jerked out of her reverie by the sound of approaching fire engines, Dorothy looked at her handy work and smiled. She wiped at the blood that stained her lips with the back of her hand only managing to smear the traces of crimson across her chin. Not that it mattered, she was cover in blood and as were the floor and the walls and, hell, she even got some on the ceiling.

Sex always brought out the beast in her and apparently they didn't take well to that fact that she wasn't human. She could have been a little nicer and spared them the freak-show but to feel their fear, to watch them piss on themselves because they were so afraid, how could she resist? Besides it really wasn't her fault, the orgasm felt so good she just couldn't keep the beast in any longer and what came out wasn't very pretty. Her skin had begun to rot, peeling and oozing. Ten-inch claws extended from her fingertips as bat like wings sprung forth from her back and her legs then bent at an odd angle, splicing in two and forming four spider-like legs. It was just a horrifying form she liked to take on occasion and the reactions of her victims never failed to amuse her. Taking on different forms was always uncomfortable but at times it served it's purpose.

Now she was back to her normal self, her black feathered wings free from being restrained, sitting cross-legged in a pool of blood with one of the three heads lying on the floor in her lap. Idly she twisted the matted hair around her finger knowing she was stalling. It was time for her to return to hell. Fuck Akmen! If he was stupid enough to try and kill her then pity the fool when she was through with him.

With a snarl she rose to her feet, ignoring the head that fell from her lap and rolled across the floor, and cupping her hands together drew them apart opening the veil between the realms. Stepping through, it took her a second for eyes to become completely adjusted to the darkness. The feel of rock and granite beneath her bare feet was welcoming, as was the raging heat that seemed to wash over her nude body. The sound of tortured screams echoed off the walls and the sound of souls pleading for mercy made her laugh as she walked among the chaos with precision. Pits of fire made the walls glow orange and red, the patters giving life to new monsters in the shadows. She could feel the eyes of other demons on her, some lit with disapproval at her blatant audacity and disrespect for life, while others were smiling, wishing they were the ones bathed in the blood of mortals.

Yet no one said a word or dared question her as she made her way to Akmen's private chambers. Tramping down any hesitance, masking all vulnerability, she pushed open the heavy stone doors bracing herself to meet her commander.

He stood facing away from her, staring into the pool of blood that stood as a window to the mortal realm. Dorothy couldn't help but wince as she watched Akmen's fingers drum impatiently against the side of the stone basin. Despite standing across the room, she could make out the image in the crimson liquid of a young dark haired woman.

"Come in and close the door behind you." He ordered without even turning around.

Dorothy did as told carefully biding her silence. Akmen knew the woman was still alive and that left her without the upper hand. Her lips pursed in a frown as she realized that she was, for the moment, at his mercy. Almost as if he were reading her thoughts he turned to her, folding his arms across his broad chest as his black wings fluttered in agitation. Messy deep brown hair fell over his eyes, his beautiful ruby orbs, and she felt her breath catch in her throat as they sparkled with humor. His youthful, delicately curved face showed no anger, just his perfectly sculptured lips curved in a sarcastic smile.

"I trust you enjoyed yourself?" He asked smoothly, taking in the brown, dried blood that covered her ivory skin. "Perhaps you will care to tell me why Schbeiker is still alive?"

Once again, Dorothy felt her insides tighten in an unfamiliar and very uncomfortable sensation. Heero Yuy was a smart demon, upon entering the mortal realm he would have blocked his aura, concealed his very essence and made sure his soul could not be contacted at his master's will. She was not the least bit surprised that Akmen's looking glass did not show his right-hand soldier so arrogantly betraying him. However this left her with only her word to go on and Akmen could hardly be blamed for not believing her. Damn Heero!

Carefully weighing her answer, Dorothy stepped closer to Akmen, her eyes wandering over his sleek tone form looking for tense muscles or anything else that might alert her to a sudden flare of his temper. "I have good reason for my failure Sir."

"I'm sure you do." His smile turned nasty. "Indulge me."

"We are being betrayed by one of our own. My mission would have been completed if your Captain, Heero Yuy, had not interfered. He saved the mortal woman's life and in doing so has sided with the enemy."

She picked up in the slight tremor that ran through his body and wisely took a step back.

The chords of his muscles in his arms strained and flexed as he clenched and then unclenched his fists. The light in his eyes grew brighter, their unholy glow flaring with the rage that began just beneath the surface.

"You lie!"

Swallowing hard she amended, "Akmen I tell you the truth. Have I ever failed you before? Have I ever given you a reason to question my loyalty? And where is your precious Captain now or do you even know?"

She expected a verbal assault or even a blow for the audacity she showed to her elder but instead Akmen sighed. "I expected this. I knew he would fail me in favor of Duo. I had to test him."

"Why such devotion? We're they intimate partners?" She asked curiously yet with a bit of wariness.

To her surprise, Akmen's lips twisted in a snarl. "No. They were as close as brothers, like two halves of the same whole, yet Duo betrayed him for that angel bitch. You would think Heero would be angry or a little hurt but NO! My perfect soldier has turned into the perfect fucking saint and that is... is..."

At his angry sputtering, Dorothy bit back a smile. She walked to Akmen with purposeful steps, her hips swaying just enough to catch his gaze and hold it. Purring, she pressed against him rubbing her bare breasts against his chest knowing he could feel her hardened nipples through the material of his tunic.

"Heero can be dealt with later, right now there are more important matter pressing. What is our next move?"

Slowly Akmen relaxed, the fury leaving his eyes as his cool ruthless calm slipped back into place. He stroked her bare back in a light gesture, his hand fisting itself around her pale blond hair. "My connections in heaven tell me that the High Counsel is worried."

"Worried?"

"Yes," He smiled slightly, relishing the information. "It seems that heaven's army is diminishing and that many angels want a new world order to come about. They are rebelling against the Counsel."

Dorothy snickered. "Are you referring to those imbeciles that want both realms to merge? They really think they can bring about balance between both hell and heaven. The simpleminded fools will only fail."

"Fail they must..." She felt a shiver go down her spine when Akmen's breath brushed her ear as leaned in closer to whisper, "...but not before they play their part and deliver heaven into our hands. This revolution can be just the opening we need. It's only a matter of time before god's kingdom falls to damnation and when it does we will be there to build our vision on heaven's ashes."

"Then I must complete my mission with post haste. I swear I will not fail again-"

A sharp tug on her hair made Dorothy wince, her words stopping mid-sentence. Akmen's voice was deep and gravely, almost husky as he replied, "Forget your mission, let those two wretches fall in love. And when they reunite the distraction will only aid our cause. You can kill them later when we have no use of them."

Carelessly Akmen pushed her body away, making his way back over to the looking pool. Glaring at his back she snapped through gritted teeth, "Yes Sir."

With that he seemed to dismiss her presence. She stood for a moment watching him as she succumbed to her rage. Barely stopping the growl that rose in her throat she turned away and was just at the door when his voice once again stopped her cold.

"Tell Zechs I wish to meet with him. I think he would be more than suitable to take command of my armies."

"Don't you mean Lord Lucifer's armies?" She questioned, injecting the right hint of malice into her voice.

"Lucifer is not here, nor does he care for what is going on. I am in charge until his return." He answered softly. She could hear the quiet anger in his voice. "Don't question my authority again."

Fairly rebuked, she reluctantly conceded, "Yes Sir," as she turned away. He stopped her once again.

"On second thought Dorothy, I have a new mission for you..."

She swore she could hear him smile. "What?"

"Kill Heero Yuy."

*********

Lightly he traced his index finger over the crystal blue water. The clear surface rippled, the rhythmic circles widening as they reached the outer edge of the marble rim. Within the water an image began to shape, the pure blue blending and fading as the image of a young woman's face materialized. Michael felt a smile curve his lips as warmth tinged with pain flooded his heart.

"How I miss you, my child." He sighed. He could feel the pressure of tears well up behind his eyes. Evan after all this time-

"Miss who?"

The soft question startled Michael, making him stiffened for a moment as a familiar voice shattered the still silence. Hesitant footsteps made their way across the room and he fought back a smile as the young boy came to rest his arms negligently on the side of the seeing pool.

"Come now Ueli, if I've told you once I've told you a hundred times... You are not to come creeping up on me like this." He scolded lightly as he moved to clear the image, only to have his hand stopped in a gentle grip.

"She's pretty. Who is she?" Ueli asked curiously, his bright aqua eyes glowing with curiosity.

Looking into Ueli's eagerly smiling face, Michael felt his heart melt. The boy was still so young and naive. He was not quite a man yet and his adolescence was still evident in his playful nature. He would grow to be quite the warrior; perhaps he would even take his seat on the High Counsel one day. But for now Ueli contended himself to act as his shadow and Micheal knew that the young boy's presence eased the ache that still lingered in his heart.

"Well let's see. Her name is Hilde and she was once an angel like us." He smiled sadly, ruffling Ueli's red-blond hair. "Long ago, many centuries before your creation, she was cast from her home by those whom did not understand her decision."

"Hilde? I've heard that name before..." Ueli's brow creased in a frown before he smiled triumphantly, "Now I remember! I overheard Gabriel telling Relena about her. I think he wants Relena to bring her

Michael's eyes narrowed. He knew of Gabriel's wretched plans and it made his blood boil to know that he could do nothing to prevent him, at least not so openly. He had to bide his time, too keep his calm and trust that God would keep Hilde safe. In his heart he knew that Hilde and Duo's love was something powerful and special. It was the first tentative link between bringing balance to the universe. And in the years since their banishment more links were formed and have only continued to grow stronger.

Friendships and bonds and even love continued to grow, transcending the span of realms and even races. There was not one angel left in heaven who wasn't touched in someway way by this change.

Yet all was not well. Tension was rising, animosity building, and every day the threat of war grew more evident as those in favor of balance became bold with their concepts. It was no longer an uncommon sight to see a Demon walking heaven's golden streets. He could remember, not so very long ago when that Demon would have been slaughtered for having dared such an offense... but what offense was there? Good would not exist without evil and evil would not exist without good. Where was there room in that equation for the elimination of one in favor of the other? The need to co-exist was more critical now than ever. If hell were to fall then the High Counsel would rule supreme and that would only be another hell in the making. And should heaven fall? There was only one word... Anarchy... He shuddered to think of that. Balance was the only reasonable solution. Yet it seemed that haven's more influential angels were still living fear, afraid of change, afraid of loosing their power, and Gabriel was at the lead with his pig-headedness-

"Michael?" Are you alright?" Ueli asked.

"Hmm?" He blinked then started, "Yes I'm fine. I was just thinking." Grasping the young angel by his shoulders Michael looked into his eyes seriously. "I have a favor to ask of you. I'm an entrusting you with this and I need to know, right now if you will help me?"

Ueli's smile faltered, his child-like features turning somber. His sea-green eyes sparkled with determination and pride as he vowed, "I would do anything you asked of me Michael, anything."

He smiled. "Keep you ears open, try and learn what ever you can about Gabriel's plans. I need you to keep me informed. What Gabriel is doing may not be the right thing and I may need to stop him." Michael replied sadly.

"But..but he's your brother... You can't fight him Michael." Ueli gasped.

"I don't intend to fight him but I must make sure he follows God's will and not his own. I fear he's being led by his greed and not his heart."

Michael watched as Ueli weighed what he said. He could see the understanding dawn in the child's eyes. No Ueli was no longer a child. He was growing up, taking on more responsibility than one so young should have to. Suddenly the boy smiled.

"I must talk to Odysseus, he has been teaching me many skills that I can use. I'm sure he must know something that can help me, after all it was cleverness that brought about the fall of Troy."

"God inspired him."

Ueli grinned. "He thinks God is a girl, he calls her Athena."

"Yes well, do not tell Odysseus anything that I have said, or anyone for that matter, understand."

"Yes Michael." The boy nodded.

Placing a fatherly kiss to the boy's brow Michael sighed, his heart heavy with regret. "Be careful my child."

With that Ueli spread his wings and took flight, leaving just as quickly as he came. Casting a sorrowful glance back at the now distorted image in the seeing pool, Michael rubbed his temples. There was much at stake; so much that could be lost. With a sigh, he sent a silent prayer up to his God hoping he was doing the right thing by calling Duo to his faith and fueling the forbidden flame that was already burning within their broken hearts.

*********

Shadows lined the sidewalk as the stillness of night's warm, muggy air was broken by the sound of clicking heals echoing on the damp pavement. The young woman walked at a leisurely pace, her eyes drifting to the windows of the small stores and boutiques that lined the street. She paused as she caught sight of her reflection and looking at her image in the glass she quickly smoothed her long brown hair, squinting as she tried to appraise the condition of her heavy-coated makeup. Satisfied, she was just about to turn away when her attention became rivited on the news broadcast that played on multiple television sets residing in a makeshift display in the tiny store window.

"...the burning vehicle was discovered around noon. Police officials say that the truck was registered as stolen and so far there are no leads as to who may have committed the theft. To complicate matters authorities have also identified this to be the same truck used in attempted hit and run on a local police officer earlier today. The crime took place in the five hundred block of Conti Avenue, just in front of the St. Catherine Cathedral. There were no reported injuries and police are going over all eye-witness testimonies in hopes of gaining a positive description of the assailant. No information has been given on the officer's name but Police Chief Philip Rennington has not ruled out a connection between today's attack and the string of brutal murders that have been plaguing Churches all over the New Orleans area... "

She whirled away, a shudder running through her slim frame as she resumed walking. It was getting more and more dangerous to work these streets. As if finding a decent paying customer wasn't hard enough, now there was more to worry about than just getting jilted out of your money. But a whore's living was made off of her body and since this was the only thing she knew all she could do was hope that she didn't cross this psycho's path and end up as another nameless corpse in the morgue.

Pushing the creepy thought away, she turned down a side alley intending to take the shortcut she knew so well. Away from the streetlights the shadows seemed even more pronounced as she made her way through the darkness. Unease began to spread through her body, making her skin feel clammy and cold despite the humidity in the air. She rubbed her bare arms and walked faster.

"Goddamn it Une! Pull yourself together!"

She mumbled the words under her breath, trying to convince herself that it was just her nerves, but something made a noise behind her and she froze. Slowly she turned around as her heart began pounding and her breathing turned choppy. She wasn't sure what she expected to see but there was nothing there. A nervous laugh escaped her cherry red lips. Mentally she told herself she was overreacting, there was nothing wrong. Then why did she feel like she was being watched? She wasn't imagining it, she could feel it a physical sensation. Something was in this alley with her.

Panic exploded inside her as her eyes wildly roamed over the darkness. She took a step backward and a scream welled up in her throat as she collided with something warm and solid. Reacting without conscious thought she spun around, her grip tightening on the strap of her purse. She could barely make out the person's form in the dim lighting. Tall, long pale hair and a dark overcoat that almost reached the ground were all that registered before the figure moved a step closer.

"Stop right there!" She snapped hoping her voice didn't waver. "I have a gun and I'm not afraid to use it!"

"Well now..." the soft voice chuckled, "Is that how you always make a first impression?"

The form took another step closer and she held her ground, her body tense and ready to run. "Who are you?"

A stray beam of moonlight seemed to peek from the overcast sky at that moment, illuminating the alley and its two occupants. Une felt a gasp rise up in her throat as she got clear view of startlingly blue eyes almost hidden behind white-blond bangs and a sly smile.

"Who am I? Why don't we take a little walk and I'll tell you all about it." He purred.