CHAPTER 5

Andrew gathered Monica in his arms once again, still not sure about taking her out of that van. Her condition was not good and facing the woods and the cold temperature outside would only put her human form at risk. If something happened to her he would be the only one responsible. Besides that, he'd seen the look in Mike's eyes – with a little persuasion, the man could be a precious help and maybe convince Jim that they should set the little angel free. Sighing deeply, he looked at Monica and brushed a tender kiss on her forehead, making her open her eyes slowly.

"I want to take you out of here, angel. But... But I'm afraid for you. It's cold in the woods and you're ill..."

"Can't we talk to those men?"

"I saw the look in their eyes, Monica. All they want is money!" he replied, angrily.

"I... I trust you..." she finally spoke, allowing herself to be in his hands and aware that he would do anything to keep her safe.

And those few words were all that he needed to finally make up his mind. "Come with me, angel, I'm taking you out of here!" Decided, he helped her to her feet and kept a supportive arm around her waist as they both left the trailer. It would be a long walk up to the nearest shelter – if they could find one anyway. But the need to save Monica from her captors was stronger than anything else. The two angels left the trailer behind and started to walk towards the woods as quickly as they could, fearing the mere thought of the two men returning to their vehicle and not finding Monica there.

After a two hour walk, they had to stop near a stream that crossed the trees as the Irish angel was visibly out of breath. With his green eyes filled with concern, Andrew helped her to sit down and wet his hands with the clean pure water. Then, he gently split some water on her face to alleviate the heat caused by her fever.

"Rest a little, angel," he said, tenderly caressing her face.

"What if they catch us?" she wanted to know, still not breathing properly.

"It'd take some time before they were back, we have some time ahead of them."

Monica stared at him for a few moments, remembering how angry she was with him the last time they'd spoken. Now the anger had subsided and was replaced by great disappointment at the one friend she once trusted the most. When he realized her gaze, the blond angel lowered his eyes, aware of the great sadness he could see in there – and extremely ashamed that he had caused that.

Tentatively, he reached for her small hand, "I... I want you to know that if I could turn back time, I'd have done everything differently, angel."

"You have no idea how hard these months were for me..."

"I do! I can see it in your eyes, sweetie..." she started coughing again and he put her long auburn strands behind her ears and shoulders, and gently rubbed her back. When the coughing subsided her cheeks were red from the effort and she lowered her head again, now avoiding Andrew's gaze. He reached out and touched her delicate skin, cupping her chin up and making her turn her head to face him, the strength of his gaze nearly hypnotizing her, "And believe me, having you away from me was like... It was physical pain, Monica..." he said, and then brushed his thumb against the little dimple she had on her chin, "I love you, angel... I know you're hurt now and that's because of me but I'll keep on saying this until you believe me... I'll fight for your love and no matter what I have to face, I'll never ever give up on you."

Their faces were standing just a few inches from each other and Monica could feel her human heart beating faster despite her sickness. His warm breath tickling her lips and the fact that they both had once longed for a moment when their lips would meet in a gentle, loving caress proper of those whose hearts were enamoured caused a fluttering sensation in the pits of their stomachs.

Fearing what could happen, Monica lowered her head once more and wearily rested the top of it against Andrew's chest, "I don't like the way I feel, but…I can't help it."

"I know," He whispered, his fingers running through her hair tenderly.

"I felt so alone…" Her voice trembled, as she allowed some of the pain that she had been harboring in her heart to be released, "All those months and I couldn't share it with anyone. I could have shared it with you, but…you wouldn't let me."

Fresh guilt flowed through him at her words. He had hurt her so deeply and in turn he had hurt the most precious gift he had ever been given-his incredible relationship with her, "We'll get through this, Monica."

She raised her head weakly and looked up at him through tear filled eyes, "I don't know if we can," Her voice was scarcely a whisper, before another bout of coughing shook her small frame.

She was so pale and looked so exhausted and Andrew felt himself becoming frantic. Though her words frightened him, the fact that she was sick and appeared to be getting worse scared him even more. He needed to get her someplace safe and warm but he didn't even know if such a place existed.

His eyes darted back to the way they had come and his heart nearly thudded to a stop as he could clearly see their footprints in the soft soil. Jim and Mike need only follow the prints to find them and the thought of them capturing Monica again was enough to force him into action that he really didn't want to take.

"Angel, we need to walk up through this stream for a while," He explained worriedly. He was loath to do it. The water would be cold and the little angel was already so ill. Carrying her would be dangerous on slippery stones, so she would have to walk with no more than sandals on her delicate feet. There was simply no other way. He had to make sure that the men would not be able to easily find them and a mile up through the water would assure that safety. Jim and Mike would lose their tracks at the bed of the stream and would have to search long and hard to pick them back up again.

He watched miserably as she opened her weary eyes at his words. She had been close to drifting off into exhausted sleep and he hated himself for not being able to allow her to rest for a longer period of time, but the realization of the tracks they were leaving was enough to push him forward, "I'll help you, baby." Standing, he pulled her to her feet and wrapped a supportive arm around her waist. She was leaning against him more heavily now, obviously fatigued.

Monica gave a small gasp when Andrew led her into the water and her feet were engulfed in the extreme cold. Neither angel spoke as they journeyed up through the stream; Monica was simply too weary and Andrew was too determined. He wanted this trip to be short. He wanted his friend some place dry and warm and his jaw clenched when the little angel was no longer able to control the chattering of her teeth. He could feel her shivering up against him, but she never uttered a word of complaint as they continued for the better part of an hour. She slipped several times and only Andrew's strong arm around her kept her from plunging into the stream. Her coughing was nearly constant and though he wanted to continue through the water in order to better assure their safety, he couldn't put the little angel through anymore of it.

He led her up on the bank of the other side of the stream, though he showed no sign of stopping yet. He wanted to place some distance between them and the water, "Just a little longer, Angel."

"Andrew….please…."

Her plea made him stop and turn to her, seeing tears in her eyes. Despite his jacket, she continued to tremble and when he placed his hand against her forehead, his heart pounded loudly; she was practically burning up with fever. He wanted to cry himself at his own helplessness at the moment. There was so little he could do to help her until he could find them a safe place and he had so much to make up for.

"Put your arms around my neck, sweetheart," He instructed and as soon as she did, Andrew swept her up in his arms, "Just rest. I've got you."

He continued walking, his precious cargo cradled in his arms and looking down at her pale face, he found her eyes closed, her head resting lifelessly against his chest, "Please Father," he whispered as he quickened his pace, "She needs help. We need help."

In answer to his short prayer, Andrew realized that the ground beneath his feet was much firmer and drier, so he was not leaving any noticeable marks. His relief fueled his energy and he quickened his pace, already knowing what he would find up ahead. His knowledge that God would provide materialized when his eyes came to rest on a small hunter's cabin and he hurriedly got to the door.

The cabin was small, but clean, complete with a small kitchen and table and a tidy bed in the corner near the fireplace. Andrew was quick to gently lay the sleeping angel down on the bed and then he pulled the warm quilt up over her small frame. Even in sleep, she shivered and the blond angel was quick to find matches to light the pre-prepared fire. The room quickly began to fill with warmth and then he began to survey what items were available in the kitchen.

There wasn't much, but it was enough. He already doubted his wisdom about lighting the fire, afraid the smoke from the chimney would alert Monica's captors as to her whereabouts, but he decided to allow it to burn for a time. A small closet revealed an extra blanket, which he covered his friend with as well, before finding a bowl and cloth. Filling the bowl with cold water, Andrew then concentrated on the high fever raging through his friend.

She never stirred as he bathed her forehead with the cold water, wishing that there were something more he could do for her. This would have to be enough. Taking her small hand into his own, he brought it tenderly to his lips, "Sleep, angel," He whispered softly, "I'm taking care of everything."

X

"Jim, she probably just vanished," Mike tried once again to deter his friend, "She's an angel for crying out loud."

"An angel wouldn't have had to break open the door," Jim grumbled, obviously angry that things were not going according to plan, "And an angel wouldn't have left footprints! Look, Mike, someone was helping her!"

Mike still looked uncomfortable as he surveyed the two sets of footprints leading away from the trailer, "Yeah, well, maybe it's for the best."

"You've lost your mind," the other man stated, "Nobody else is gettin' the money for finding a real angel! Let's go! We're gonna find her."

"I don't think-" Mike began but his friend was quick to cut him off.

"You don't think what? You want to keep living your life this way, buddy? With not having enough food on the table to feed your family? We deserve this!"

When Jim put it that way it was hard to argue. Mike was tired of barely being able to make ends meet at home. If they could prove the little female was indeed an angel, there would be a huge payoff. So why did the pained expression on her face keep haunting him?

"You coming or not?"

Mike nodded his head, despite what his heart was telling him, "Yeah. I'm coming."