CHAPTER 17

Morning had arrived and Paul's footsteps outside the door woke Andrew from his restless slumber. The Irish angel was still cradled in his arms and he cast a somewhat panicked look at the door. Explaining their position would be rather difficult to do, and he really didn't think that Monica needed the additional stress. Thankfully, he felt a familiar warmth surround them both, and quickly set her down on the bed, pulling the covers up to her shoulders before disappearing just as the door opened.

The agent only opened the door a crack, just wanting to check on her before going downstairs to start breakfast. She appeared to be sleeping peaceful and he was grateful for that small mercy. He stepped back into the hall, quietly shutting the door as he went. A door down the hall opened, and Andrew emerged, hair unkempt and eyelids still at half-mast.

"Is she still sleeping?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yeah, and more soundly than I expected, although I suppose yesterday was enough to knock anyone out," he gave a grim smile.

They moved to go downstairs and Paul turned to the blond angel. "Thanks, by the way," he said as he keyed in the code for the alarm system.

Andrew looked at him quizzically, not quite sure what he was referring to.

"Whatever you said to her seemed to work," he explained. "I don't know what I was thinking talking to her the way I did." His eyes moved to the floor. "I guess my mouth got ahead of my brain. I just couldn't stand seeing her like that… not feeling the way--"

"Hey, what you said was right," Andrew interrupted, unwilling to hear Paul elaborate on his feelings for the little angel. "You just said it a little too loudly," he smiled at his own joke and was relieved when Paul let it go at that.

"In that case," the agent said with a chuckle, "thanks for toning it down for me."

"Did you hear anything else last night?" Andrew asked as they approached the kitchen. He was hopeful that perhaps there had been some lead, or a clue as to how McArthur had managed to find them; anything that could bring the assignment to a speedier end.

"Nothing," Paul's mouth turned down in a scowl. "The guy's good, I'll give him that. He knows what's on the line and he's not about to make any careless mistakes. I hate to say it, but our best bet is that he'll track us down again and try something here."

The angel looked at him, eyebrows raised. "What? I know we haven't been partners for long, but that doesn't really sound like your style."

"It isn't, but we're a lot more secure here. If he so much as shows his face our guys'll be all over him."

Andrew didn't look so sure. "You're talking about turning Monica into a sitting duck," he stated plainly.

Paul looked at him with understanding. "I don't like it any more than you do," he said. "In fact, I think I probably like it less."

The subtle reference to his feelings for the Irish angel did not go unnoticed, and Andrew felt the muscle in his jaw tighten. "Let's just say I'm hoping that they catch the guy before he gets anywhere near this house," he said.

Paul nodded his head. "Agreed, but let's not lose sight of the possibilities."

Andrew didn't bother to reply. There was certainly no way he would be losing sight of anything, including Monica.

*****

Monica's eyes blinked open lazily, then focused on the view out her window. She half expected to see the barn, with the rolling fields spreading out beyond it, but those things were gone. She let out a dejected sigh, unaware that she had even been holding it.

"How many more places am I going to have to say good-bye to before I can go Home?" she whispered.

"I'm not sure, baby, but the Father will be with you at every one of them."

Monica rolled over, her face showing the amazement she felt. "Tess?" she cried out softly.

"That's right, Angel Girl," the older angel said, her smile spreading across her face. "The Father thought that you might like a little visit."

The little angel flew out of her bed and all but flung herself into her supervisor's arms. "He was right," she said, "as always."

Tess hugged her young charge tightly, having heard from the Father all that had occurred and anxious to discuss these things with the little angel to find out how she was really doing, “It’s so very good to see you, baby.”

“I’ve missed you,” Monica whispered, happy tears shining in her eyes as she felt her supervisor finally pull away from the hug to hold her at arm’s length, searching her eyes as if looking for something.

“So how are you, Angel Girl? I want the truth now, so don’t you sugarcoat anything for me,” Though her voice held a hint of sternness, her eyes reflected her love for the younger angel.

Monica drew in a deep breath, knowing that like Andrew, there would be little she could hide from Tess anyway, “Yesterday was really hard,” She admitted softly, “And I didn’t handle it all that well…”

“I wouldn’t say that, Monica. There are parts of it you could have handled better or differently, but angels learn from their mistakes too. I’m glad Andrew helped to set you straight, as did Paul,” Wrapping her arm around her charge’s small shoulders, Tess led her over to the bed so they could sit down.

“You sure don’t miss much, do you?” The little angel grinned impishly and the uncompromising look that Tess gave her only caused a giggle to escape, though she tried to look penitent.

“I have a couple of special interests in this one, Miss Wings and I think you know that,” Tess replied, unable to resist a smile at the sound of the giggle she had missed hearing of late.

“I’ve been so grateful for Andrew being here, Tess. Though this has been difficult, it would have been twice as much so without him,” Her smile widened as she said a silent prayer of thanks for his unwavering friendship and presence in her existence.

“The Father knew you were going to need him in your corner, baby, and Andrew wouldn’t have been satisfied being anywhere else, and I think you know that,” She eyed the other angel sternly once more, “As you do know that, I hope you also now know better than to try to keep things from him about what you are feeling.”

Monica nodded her head solemnly, her face showing sudden seriousness, “Do you know when this will all be over, Tess?”

Tess sighed softly, wishing she had the answers that Monica was looking for. She knew her charge was struggling and that the incident in the barn yesterday had unnerved her. She only hoped that the little angel would be able to hold her own for awhile longer, “No baby, I don’t. I wish that I did, but nothing has changed about this situation. That man is still out there, and even once he is caught, you have to see this through until the end and that means testifying against him.”

Disappointment clearly radiated on the gaelic face as she nodded her head sadly, though the frown softened as Lucy gave a soft mew and crawled into the angel’s lap.

“And about these kittens of yours…” Tess began, looking a little disgruntled, but seeing the almost pleading look in Monica’s eyes, she changed her tone quickly, “We can discuss them later,” She added, though she had no idea what to do with them once this whole thing was over and done with as it was obvious her charge loved them dearly and that they were in their own way helping her to cope with her situation, “What we need to discuss now however, is your needing to have a little conversation with the Father. Though He knows what you are feeling, baby, He would still like to hear it from you.”

Picking Lucy up in her arms and hearing the comforting purr, she rubbed her face against the soft fur, “I know and I will…soon.”

The older angel shook her head, knowing she couldn’t force the issue despite the fact that she wanted to. Monica needed to go to Him of her own free will and her need to do so. Though Tess knew that her friend needed to go Him now, for reasons of her own, Monica was still holding back.

Tess was also debating a little chat with Andrew as well, if she could get him alone for a few minutes. She knew he was struggling as well with issues, mostly concerning his anger at the killer and the way he was tormenting Monica. Yesterday had done a number on the blond angel that not even Monica was aware of and his fury needed to be squelched before the smoke of his anger became a full fledged fire.

“Have you seen Heather and Missy?”

Monica’s question pulled the other angel from her thoughts as she smiled slightly, “As I matter of fact, I did stop in to check on them the other day. They’re taking it one day at a time and leaning on God and each other,” She gave Monica a pointed look, “You helped to teach them that, so don’t forget it yourself.”

“No ma’am,” She replied, though another smile tugged at the corners of her mouth at the news that Josh’s family was doing as well as could be expected.

“They send their love, baby. They are aware that you were a witness and they’re counting on you to help bring justice for Joshua,” She immediately saw the troubled look enter into the little angel’s eyes and knew what it was about, “Monica, had you not been there, Josh would have been killed anyway, so the fact that you were there doesn’t change a thing. The important thing is that you saw the man who did this and can bring him to justice before he hurts anyone else.”

Monica appeared to consider this for a moment as for some reason she hadn’t before. She had focused on having been there when McArthur killed Josh instead of what would have happened had she left as she should have. The difference all had to do with knowing who had done this and she knew. Instead of thinking about what she hadn’t done in saving Josh, she was now thinking of what she had done by being there. She had identified a dangerous killer; a killer who wanted to kill her. That was the only piece of this that left her unsettled.

Clearly able to see how Monica was mulling this over in her mind, Tess watched the wide range of emotions cross her charge’s face; everything from understanding to fear and she didn’t hesitate to pull her close once again, “As frightened as you are, Angel Girl, the Father is still in control and He will use this situation for good. No matter what happens in the days ahead, you keep focusing on that and you won’t go wrong.”

Though the question of what if the killer found her before the FBI found the killer still lingered in her mind, Monica nodded her head and managed a sheepish smile, “I think the Father and I are long overdue for a little chat.”

*****

Down in the kitchen, Paul and Andrew were drinking coffee and waiting for Monica to make an appearance. Neither of them really wanted to be the one to suggest waking her although both of them wanted to be the one to do so. Andrew was particularly anxious to check on her, not wanting her to wake and think he had abandoned her.

“We should probably start breakfast,” Paul said. “She didn’t eat anything yesterday and she needs to eat.”

“Well if we want her to eat, then blueberry pancakes would be a good start,” Andrew said before he even realized that the words were out of his mouth. They were her favorite breakfast food, and he hadn’t even thought twice about mentioning that fact.

Paul looked at him and his eyes narrowed just a fraction before Andrew quickly spoke up again. “I think she mentioned liking them the other day, on the walk down to the barn,” he covered.

The agent seemed satisfied with that explanation and started rummaging through the fully-stocked refrigerator. “Well she’s in luck because I think we’ve got everything but the sink in here.”

Andrew retrieved a mixing bowl and spoon while Paul gathered ingredients. The kitchen was quite a bit larger than the one at the farm, and the blond angel looked around for the fire alarm. He had a feeling that with nothing else to do, Monica would be difficult to keep out of the kitchen.

“So, what are the plans for the day,” he said casually, knowing that the Irish angel would quickly go stir crazy if she didn’t have something to do, and hoping that Paul had some ideas.

One look from the man told him that he hadn’t thought quite that far ahead.

“I was hoping that you had something in mind,” Paul admitted. “I’ve gotta tell you, she’s not exactly the usual witness. Hey, you’ve seen,” he said, referring to their brief partnership prior to Monica’s arrival. “Most are happy enough to sit in front of the tv or hole up in a room with a few books or a hobby,” he shrugged his shoulders. “Of course usually we don’t have to have security this tight,” he added.

“Yeah,” Andrew replied with a grin, “she’s anything but ordinary.”

Paul shook his head as he combined flour and buttermilk and a pinch of salt. “Well we’re going to have to think of something, at least for a couple of days. There’s a little land around here but truthfully I don’t even want her out of the house.”

Andrew nodded his head in agreement, although he hated thinking about how she would handle any kind of extended confinement. To go from being an angel traveling far and wide over God’s creation to being trapped in one place was already having an effect on the little angel. She had admitted that out on the farm, and at least there she had been able to lose herself for at least a little while out in the fields with the horses. Unfortunately the only thing he could really do was pray that McArthur was found soon so that at least she could have some semblance of a normal existence on earth.

A light thudding sound from above caused Andrew and Paul to look upwards and then glance at each other. Andrew was thankful that the agent had his flour-covered hands full with stirring the batter.

“I’ll check it out,” the angel said. “It’s probably just one of the kittens.”

He walked out of the kitchen slowly, but then took the stairs two at a time. He couldn’t conceive of anything being wrong with the Irish angel, but he was past taking chances. He slowed his pace as he approached her room, and knocked lightly on the door, not wanting to startle her if she wasn’t awake.

“Come in,” her sweet voice floated through the door.

He quickly obeyed, his face breaking into a grin when he saw her sitting cross-legged on her bed, surrounded by her collection of kitten fluff balls. She was smiling, something that he hadn’t expected, and he felt his heart lighten just a bit.

“Good morning, Monica,” he said. “I see that you’re training for a career as a future cat-herder,” he joked.

“Maybe,” she said with a little smirk. Then her bright eyes met his, and he knew she had more to tell him.

“What is it, angel?”

“Tess was here,” she whispered, not wanting Paul to overhear should he be nearby. “The Father sent her down to visit.”

“Oh!” Andrew exclaimed, his own eyes matching hers. He knew how much such a visit must have meant to her. “I’m so glad.” He paused. “And I hope she set you straight on a few things,” he said teasingly.

“Actually,” she said seriously, “you did that yesterday.”

He felt a light blush rising to his cheeks and picked up one of the kittens to distract himself.

Monica noticed the flush to his cheeks and grinned widely, finding his embarrassment adorable, but she was also tactful enough to let it slide, “Thank you for staying with me last night,” She told him softly, her eyes flashing with gratitude, “Without you, I don’t think I would have ever gotten back to sleep after that nightmare.”

“I’m just sorry I wasn’t here in time for the nightmare to have been avoided altogether,” He replied, not wanting to even ask what the dream had been about as he didn’t want her to have to rehash it.

She stifled a giggle as Whiskers decided to climb up on Andrew’s shoulder and have a little walk about, “I think she likes you. She has good taste.”

Andrew rolled his eyes playfully at her as he caught the kitten and set her back on the bed, where she immediately pounced on one of her siblings, “Whatever are you going to do with all of them once this is all over, Monica?” He asked with a smile, as he sat down beside of her on the bed, despite the fact that he knew they couldn’t stay up here very long without Paul getting curious about where he had gone. But Andrew also knew that they now had an advantage with the steps at this house. He would be able to hear Paul the second the agent’s foot hit the first one.

She sighed heavily as she leaned into him, one of the kittens still in her lap, “I don’t know. Tess sort of insinuated we’d deal with all that later.”

“I’m sure we’ll come up with something, angel,” He assured, unable to keep himself from wrapping his arm around her shoulders. He supposed that as an angel, she had never had anything physical belong to her and now for all intent and purpose, the kittens did, especially as they were now motherless. He saw the way she looked up at him with trusting brown eyes and he knew now beyond the shadow of a doubt that he would have to find a kitten solution that would please her when this was over, “We should get downstairs. Paul’s making blueberry pancakes for breakfast.”

The little angel’s face lit up in a smile once more, “You remembered.”

He smiled, knowing that there wasn’t anything he didn’t commit to memory once he learned it about her, “I nearly got myself into trouble with it, but yes, I remembered. So lets go. You didn’t eat anything yesterday and that just isn’t acceptable.”

Letting him pull her to her feet, she chuckled at his attempt to be stern with her and she impulsively wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, “I’m so glad you’re here, Andrew.”

Smiling, as his heart warmed at her actions, he lifted her slightly off the ground as he squeezed her tightly, “Me too, angel. Me too.”

*****

“You’re just in time,” Paul smiled as Monica came into the kitchen after showering and getting dressed and he set down a plate of pancakes in front of her.

“They look and smell wonderful,” She grinned, suddenly feeling ravenous as she took a bite and closed her eyes to savor the taste, “Add taste to that list as well.”

“I’m glad you like them,” The agent moved to take the cup of coffee Andrew had just finished pouring for her and set it down in front of her, thankfully missing Andrew’s slightly annoyed expression.

She waited until they had sat down with her with their own plates to venture the question that was playing on her mind, “So did they have any luck at the farm? Did they find anything?”

Andrew and Paul exchanged a glance before Paul elected to answer her question, “No. Not yet anyway and they are checking the surrounding area as well as you heard yesterday. We’ll find him, Monica. It just may take a little more time.” He held his breath, awaiting her reaction, but she only nodded her head as she took a sip of her coffee.

She seemed more accepting today, and he could only hope it would last after a few days of being closed up in the house, though he was still struggling with an idea of something that could occupy her, “Are the clothes Michelle picked out to your liking?”

“Oh yes,” She smiled gratefully in his direction, “It seems Michelle knows my tastes rather well.”

“She mentioned something about a sales clerk offering her a lot of help,” He shook his head and chuckled, “Michelle said it was like the woman appeared out of nowhere and started handing her things.”

Andrew quelched a grin, wondering if the infamous sales lady could have been Tess as she had obviously been in the area. He knew that despite the fact that clothes were a small thing, having things she liked and felt comfortable in could still make a difference to the little angel.

Paul allowed his eyes to roam around the kitchen, an small idea forming in his mind, “You know, I don’t think this kitchen has seen a coat of paint or been updated at all in years.”

Immediately picking up on what his partner was hinting at, Andrew nodded his head in agreement, “It’s a shame really as this house is used so often, to not make it as pleasant as possible.”

Monica thoughtfully took another bite of her breakfast as she looked around the room, surveying the situation. The paint was dingy and though the room got a good bit of sunlight, it still felt far from cheery. Even the curtain seemed drab and much too dark, not allowing as much light as was possible. It was a project for idle hands longing to do something, “Maybe a very pale lilac,” She mused, twirling her fork in her fingers, “What color is on those walls anyway?”

“Antique white, maybe?” Andrew offered, clearly able to see the thoughts churning in her head.

“I think the only thing antique about it is the amount of time it has been on the walls,” Paul remarked dryly, trying to not show his pleasure at her apparent interest, “Maybe we could bring someone in here to get it painted and freshened up one day.”

“I’ll do it,” Monica quickly intercepted, a quirky smile on her face. She knew Paul and Andrew had dangled the bait hoping to distract her, but she didn’t plan on letting them know she knew that, “Can we get paint and brushes? Oh, and how about new curtains and maybe a white border with lilacs on it to match the paint?”

“I believe that can all be arranged. I’ll make a call right after breakfast,” Paul winked in Andrew’s direction, obviously pleased that his little plan had worked.

“You know what this means, don’t you?” The Irish angel asked innocently, peering up at her two protectors with a hint of mischief in her eyes. Seeing their perplexed expressions, she explained, “You’ll have to allow me to be in the kitchen other than to eat.”

Laughter broke out between man and angel as Andrew shook his head in amusement, “I think that can be arranged, as long as you promise not to touch the stove.”