Terry said nothing when he returned to his office, simply nodded to Paul and walked to Sera’s desk. He took her hand and led her to their quarters. There he did as he did on earth, paced. She sat quietly then slowly turned to the window, hiding the tears that gathered and waited patiently. When she could take no more she stood, blocked his relentless movement and spoke.

“Let me make this easier for you, Terry. You are going back down to earth. You will be away for a while and,” she swallowed hard. “He offered you the world, didn’t He?”

Terry blinked. “The world, love?”

“Another full life.”

“I don’t want it, Sera. This is a job. It’s my job. It’s what I do.”

“I know. But don’t say what you can’t know right now,” her finger smoothed over the cleft in his chin then she rose on her toes to tenderly kiss his lips. “I’ll wait for you, Terry. I’ll wait forever for you. And I will understand if you choose – ”

“I won’t. Are we gonna waste time arguing about this?”

“No.”

Her arms wrapped around him and he held her close, tight against his chest and he did everything he could to clear his mind, to be fully with this amazing being who held his heart in her hands. But he had never told Sera what she was holding all those years in the heavens, never admitted what hurt the most … the loss of his family. To see Henry again, to press his warm palm against his son’s and look into his eyes. To hear his granddaughter Tress’ lovely voice, feel it roll along his senses. To be alive again and even to see Michael Cromwell’s smug face, deal with that bloke in the way he used to … to be alive again. Alive again.

But being alive and living earthbound life was not the same. Since arriving in heaven he had listened to all of Sera’s stories about her time and acclimation as a human. That night, as they held each other tight, she gave him advice and reiterated her difficulties, she encouraged and assisted and for the first time since meeting Sera, he felt in her power again, was at her mercy … so much in love with her he actually wondered if he could decline the assignment.

“There’s gotta be someone else to do this. Frank Beeker is a good candidate. Skilled, trained just like me, he even – ”

“But he’s not you, not the only man for the job. No one can do this but you and we all know it. Especially Frank. Besides, he’ll have his hands full with helping me watch over you.”

“You sound like you want me to do this, Sera.”

“I want the planet to survive, Terry. No one can help Michael do that … but you. Trust me,” she huffed and pulled from his grasp. “I’ve got my own feelings going on here too. Unproductive, selfish feelings.”

“Like?”

“My God, Terry! I’m jealous and I’m disappointed. I’m terrified for you and for me and for everyone! I’m afraid you’ll meet a woman and fall in love down there … marry her … have a family … live a whole life!” She gasped and abruptly pushed tears from her face. “I’m terrified you’ll forget about me,” she whispered.

“Sera no!” He stood, gripped her wrists tight and forced her to face him. “No! You and me, love … we belong together. But darlin’, let’s be realistic. Things might happen while I’m down there. Forget you? That just ain’t fuckin’ possible. You hear me? It can’t
happen, Sera. It won’t. I will come back to you and I’ll do it as soon as I can. I swear it.”

And as he loved Seraphima, their souls melded and meshed, tightening the weave that had bound them together since the beginning of their respective existence. Terry longed for earthbound life, but love was only real in Sera’s arms.

***

The following hours were tied up in briefings and planning, discussing the department with Paul, managing the reassignment of several Elite Guardians to cover the hundreds of man hours required to watch over Terry during his tour of duty … general housekeeping, information his replacement would need to continue as Terry had been running the department. Paul had been away for quite some time, retired and living the life of leisure. But Terry could see the angel was more than ready for some activity.

Finally Terry sat with the team assigned to watch over him, not in the least surprised that Ansilon was not present. With that thought, Terry himself wondered how far he was from truly being angelic and his eyes turned to Sera. He might be facing his own temptations, but she would be needing comfort in his absence. Was this the opportunity Ansi had been hoping for? All Terry could do was believe everything he’d told her. That they truly belonged together … forever.

“Okay, Thorne,” Frank grunted and flipped opened a folder on the conference table. “I have a few serious concerns.”

Paul grinned and the others also stifled smiles. Madam Miriam actually covered her mouth and cleared her throat to conceal her amusement. Frank Beeker always had serious concerns, and in Terry’s eyes, the man had taken on the personality of the old General Watson. Since joining the Guardians, Frank had mellowed; managed to fly the ‘F’ word a little less often and hold his temper to a minimum, pretty admirable stuff for the likes of Beeker. He was a soldier and a K&R man who spent most of his life dealing with difficult contingencies; if Frank was having serious concerns, they would hear him out. After all, why would this assignment be any different?

“Shoot,” Terry said.

“I made a list from my notes during Sera’s acclimation. You’re going to face a few immediate difficulties but my assessment is that you’ll deal pretty quickly, kinda like riding a bike.

“And I wasn’t kidding about that either. Balance. Gravity is gonna come into play, dick you around like crazy and at first, you’ll feel like a fucking bolder, heavy, uncoordinated. Almost crippled. You might have some nausea, maybe even serious disorientation for a few minutes. My suggestion is to buck it up and get it over with as fast as possible. Get on your feet, walk, move around, maybe even jog if you can. Get used to your lungs and your sight, your bladder … everything.

“Sight, now there you will have a tough time. Things aren’t as bright down there as you remember. Memories are deceiving. Sound’s gonna have you baffled for a while too. When you sleep, you’ll begin dreaming again. Identify it, because at first, after all this time … you might have some trouble differentiating between reality and dreams.”

Sera reached over, placing her hand on Terry’s. He chewed his lip and nodded for Frank to continue.

“Okay, Paul and I managed to get a little more information for you. You’re gonna wake up in Heathrow. It’s a little different than you remember; twenty years and they finally built that new terminal. But you remember airports, just look for the ‘baggage claim’ signs and go to the carrousel.”

“I’ll have luggage?”

“Of course you’ll have luggage,” Frank hissed. “You’ll even have a claim ticket,” he slid the hard ticket and boarding pass across the table and Terry examined it.

“Why was I in bloody Singapore?”

“No fucking clue. Make something up or be the same secretive prick you always were. Why you were there got jack shit to do with what you’re about to do. Here,” more documents were passed to Terry. “Michael Cromwell’s London apartment address, his cell phone and hard line numbers, e-mail address. The car he drives. Don’t go directly to his place unless you want to see your lovely granddaughter in the act with him.”

Terry scowled.

“Get over it, Thorne. Keep your eye on the prize. You’ll have enough to deal with acclimating to breathing air again without focusing on ways to castrate Cromwell. Now, how and why you contact him is another story all together. The Boss says it’s all your call, but if you’ve got any plans or ideas, we’d appreciate a heads up before you leave.”

“I got no clue, mate. But I have a few … questions. Will you be able to contact me?”

Frank turned to Paul then rolled one shoulder. “Unfortunately, in the experiment with Sera we kinda dropped the ball. She wasn’t fully aware of exactly what her assignment was … she wasn’t able to pick up the signs because she didn’t understand where to look for them. This situation is different. You are clear on your assignment, Thorne. And … you’re driving this thing. We’ll all be following your lead. The communication will be there, just don’t stop looking for it. Look for the signs. There is no serendipity, no coincidence. Only answers.”

“I’m assuming I’ll be in constant communication with you, right?”

“Absolutely. Your thoughts, your actions … your prayers. Constant communication unless you cut us off and leave us in the dark,” Paul said. “Terry, don’t leave us in the dark, buddy. Always remember how this department works and use what you know up here as well as down there.”

The big digital clock on the wall ticked off the seconds and Terry stared at his clasped hands for a moment.

“Don’t do that, Thorne,” Frank grunted and all in the conference room alerted, their focus shifting quickly from Frank to Terry and back again.

Terry’s eyes slowly rose to meet Frank’s and what followed was a private comment from soldier to soldier.

“You got not time, no energy and no reason for insecurity,” Frank’s ethereal voice boomed inside Terry’s head. “I know you can do this. Paul and this team know you can do this … the Big Guy upstairs knows you can do this. Fuck, Thorne … you know you can do this.”

The timer bonged a two minute warning and Terry stood. One by one the team that would hold him safe and make him more effective, made their parting gesture before leaving. Miriam kissed his cheek, patted his arm and spoke of her prayers and admiration. Paul embraced him as a son but said no words. Frank gave a crisp salute which Terry returned.
Gabriel and Lucas, two of the best Guardians in the department shook Terry’s hand, a twinkle of excitement in their eyes.

Finally, Sera simply embraced him and kissed him deep and long. His lips caressed hers and his hands pressed her close. “Bloody hell, love,” he sighed and kissed her again. “I’m not gonna forget you, Sera.”

She pulled away, playfully slapped his arm and grinned through tears. “You better not. And don’t worry about anything, okay? I got your back.”

“You’ve always had my back, love,” Terry whispered and gave her a wink. She left the conference room, closing the door silently behind and leaving Terry a full sixty seconds alone.

He groaned a sigh, “God help me.” He sat on a chair, placed his hands on his thighs and closed his eyes. A mix of terror and exhilaration charged through him like a bolt of lightening. His first sensation was the same he received every time he and Sera booked time in the simulation chamber … time to pretend human … to enjoy pseudo sex … and he thought about the disappointments of those times. It was all satisfying enough but he’d learned long ago that loving her in heaven was different from loving her on earth. Better. Stronger. That he was holding on to something minor in his major life. That he, as a celestial resident, an archangel and a Master Guardian was somehow flawed for even wanting the imaginary experiences and they’d since become few and far between.

This time, Terry was not going to be in a simulation. His mind calmed, analyzed, categorized. He’d be back with the real thing. Solid flesh and bone and mind and matter. Life. What would he bring to it now that he knew the Creator’s reasons for it all?

There was no final alert of the timer, no major shift or jolt. Terry’s body was relaxed when he first realized the sounds around him. He kept his eyes closed and digested everything he could decipher in the darkness. The press of his arse against the seat. The movement of air around him as people passed. Voices, languages, scents, heat and cold.

He moved his fingers, noted the fluidity of muscle and joint and flexible flesh. He heard his heartbeat, felt his eyes move beneath the lids. Slowly. No hurry. Take this slowly.

“Meditating, mate?” came a male voice close beside him and Terry responded without opening his eyes. Marveled at the vibration of his own voice in his chest.

“Yeah. Little quiet would be appreciated.”

“Sorry.”

He felt the man move away and continued to let his agile brain take in all the stimuli. Soon he recognized that he had tightened against his stress and consciously dropped his shoulders, relaxed his neck. The last time he was in his own body it was old, infested with arthritis and weakness. The charge of blood and snap of nerve endings clearly indicated that he was again young, again strong and healthy. He carefully raised a hand to rub his eyes. Not too bad, not perfect control but at least he didn’t take out an eye with the effort. He thought to remain still like that for a while longer but remembered Frank and Sera’s advice. Get up … get moving … get balanced and acclimated and Terry opened his eyes.

And he gasped. Frank was wrong. Color was as intense as Terry remembered it; light was just as bright, sound as stimulating. It was a pleasant cacophony of voices and footsteps, grinding luggage wheels and the public announcement system, of shouts and cries, joy and tears. Energy swept all around him. Heathrow hadn’t changed one bloody bit.

He drew in a deep breath and released it, a massive grin overtaking his face and Terry chuckled. Now it was time to see if he could bloody walk.

His learned behavior after years of being old and achy the last time he existed in this environment proved valuable. He groaned and moved slowly, pulled his body vertical and stood still for a moment. He slid one foot forward then another.

“Hey mister, don’t forget your briefcase,” shouted a pretty young girl in a chair across from him.

“Ah … thanks.” He carefully bent to lift it, noticing that things weren’t as difficult as he expected and straightened quickly. The pretty traveler gave him a flirtatious smile and he winked then left the gate. Terry felt like a giddy young sheila, wanted to get to the men’s loo and look at himself in a mirror but everything he was to do grew louder in his mind, became a cadence that thrummed and pressed him ahead.

Ah, this he remembered too. This … he clearly remembered. Terry’s mind always ran everything and he was grateful to see it still would. He tugged the claim ticket and boarding pass from his breast pocket and eyed it carefully. He’d just left flight 8876 from Singapore and needed to get through customs and to baggage claim. Piece of piss. So far, so good.

***

“Where are you going?” Tress buttoned the pearl buttons of her silk blouse.

Michael said nothing, pushed a hand across his grey streaked hair giving it a comical shape but curled his brow and sucked on his lower lip.

“What will you be doing?” She reached for her purse and stood at the bureau mirror, smoothed lipstick so calmly no one would ever guess she was upset, worried, sad. She’d adopted a perfect British persona … especially when Michael was leaving.

“You know I can’t tell you, baby.”

She shot a scowl over her shoulder at him and returned her attention to the mirror, her eyes covertly watching Michael as she primped and polished.

“How long this time?”

“No fucking clue, Tress.” He groaned and lounged on the bed, crossed his long legs at the ankles and lit a cigarette. Releasing the smoke, he ran a hand down his chin. “Shouldn’t be too long, though.”

“No worries,” she sighed casually. “Robert announced this morning that we’re leaving soon anyway. I won’t have time to miss you.”

“Leaving?” Michael sat straight. “Where?”

Tress shrugged. “Israel. Tomorrow morning.”

“Don’t go, Tress.”

“What?” she chuckled. “I’m the good diplomat’s wife. I have to go.”

“I’m serious, don’t go with him. He had no scheduled trips until March. What the hell’s he going to be doing in Israel?”

She blinked, recognizing the strange duplicity in Michael that had repeatedly proven a sticking point between them. A sticking point … and a luxury. After all, rats had to be crafty, right? She thought not to answer but deception was not Tress’ strength. She shrugged, sighed and fluffed her dark hair. “You know I have to go. Besides, it’s just some silly trade negotiation as I understand it.”

“Trade? Between England and Israel?”

“Don’t expect so. Several nations are going to be represented there. Same old grind, Michael. Formal dinners, long hours behind closed doors, press conferences. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

He stood, gripped her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. “I’m fucking serious, Tress. Don’t go with him for this one. Get out of it, find some excuse.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want you there … that’s why.”

“Good reason … if you were my father. Besides, Mom and dad are in Egypt for a few weeks. It will be a perfect chance to catch up with them before they flit off somewhere else.”

“You can’t go to Israel, Tress.”

“I can … and I will. What’s this all about, Michael?” The growing concern in his eyes made her heart flutter with fear and love and a dozen emotions she could hardly name.

“I just … I just want you safe. Listen Tress. If you absolutely have to go, do one thing for me. Get away fast. Right after the reception. Will you try?”

She drew in a breath, responded to his intensity. “Will you be in Israel?”

“No,” Michael lied. “And neither should you be. Just promise me you’ll get away as fast as possible.”

“Maybe. You know, it won’t be a long trip anyway. We’re scheduled to be – ”

“In New York, at the U.N. on the fifth. Yeah, I know. Do me and your folks a favor, will you? Smile pretty at the reception and get your perfect ass on a plane to Egypt, pronto. Go look at the Sphinx with mummy and daddy.”

She huffed into her jacket and straightened the collar. “This possessive thing doesn’t work for us, you know.”

“I never asked you to do anything like this before, missy.”

Missy? When Michael called her missy he was climbing onto his proverbial high horse and about to spout the wisdom of his advancing years. She had no stomach for it. He was leaving for destinations unknown for an undetermined length of time and she was not happy about it. She was a woman and he was the man she loved. She was angry and he was going fatherly on her. It was enough to make her explode.

“Fine, you want to be this way, it’s just fine,” she stomped to the door, her heels making a thumping sound that strengthened Michael’s fears for her.

“Hey!” he called. “What, no making nice before I leave town?”

Her shoulders slumped, her head dropped and she smiled against the threatening tears. “So,” she turned slowly, her eyes glowing. “You would like a tender farewell?”

“Yeah, just like always.” He stepped closer and settled his hands on her hips. Tress raised her face and permitted the sweet kiss, sighed and melted against his chest. “That’s more like it. A nice farewell … and a promise. Get yourself to Egypt as soon as possible, okay?”

“Yes, sir,” she whispered between kisses that were bittersweet and painfully intense. “I promise.”