The Known/Unknown Quantity

Chapter 30: It Can Happen To Anyone

Chapter 30: It Can Happen To Anyone

"Well, that wasn't what I expected," Crowley said brightly as they left the building. "Came in for tea with a blonde, got pegged by a brunette instead." He turned to Aziraphale, who was patting his face and exposed neck with his handkerchief. "Worked you over too, I, see?"

"Your hyperbole demon! I mean, really!" But the angel was shaking.

On the drive back, Aziraphale was very quiet. He wasn't bracing himself against the car's interior. He just stared.

"Did she scold you?" Crowley asked. The angel nodded vaguely. "What about? What else?"

"She foiled me!" The demon gaphawed. "Led me into admitting my presences in your dreams."

"Sneaky little thing."

"Said to stay out, as if I could." But it wasn't a grumble. It was more of a prefix.

"She can see your wheels turning, and she knows no matter what, there's a rubber band at the end attached to a trebuchet."

"Your way with words astounds me," the angel muttered. 

Crowley turned a sharp corner just to unbalance him, but all it accomplished was Aziraphale webble-wabbling. "Is she angry because you're stealing her thunder, or worried you're taking a risk?"

"Yes."

"Ah. Is she...? right?"

"You know I have hidden endurance, Crowley. Did you ever consider that the solution lies in me being in your nightmares?"

Crowley came over and bent into his ear," Not at the expense of your well-being. This has to end, and soon."

"It will. I just need a little more time." He looked around, and blinked. "Wait. This isn't the way to my shop. Where are we going?"

"Out for a drive," the demon retorted, almost angrily.

Aziraphale's mouth was agape. "You're taking me on one of your drives in the country?"

"Yep."

"I don't know whether to be honored or afraid."

"Mix the two and see what you get. We're getting a few things out in the open."

The witch leaned into the window, watching them go, her hand playing with the cord on the drapes. She jolted when Tracy came up behind her.

"Pity. I was looking forward to tea."

Anathema turned around to her. "You would have had better luck."

"Dearie, I'm an ear, not a prod."

"No good when you hit a mountain."

"Excuse me?"

The witch growled, and slid past her. "Don't you have prep to do? You found a place. You need to start packing."

"I own many breakable things. I won't pack in the mood I'm in."

"Why?"

"Remember when you lost your book?"

"Oh." The witch went back to the wall and sat on the window sill. "The angel wants to do it all himself."

"Is he in the right?"

"I don't know!" Anathema threw up her hands. "I just know.... I'm limited. Gave them some herbs to help the demon sleep, really as if he were human. Can do some things from this end, but..."