The End of the World...Again? [Good omens/S3]

6

Crowley was organising books in alphabetical order with Muriel's help. It had been years, yet they were still in the chaotic arrangement Gabriel had left them in as "Jim." As he reached up to put a book in its place, something slipped out from between its pages. Crowley looked down and saw a square piece of paper on the floor.

"Here, finish putting them in place—all in alphabetical order" -he instructed Muriel, letting the books fall into her arms.

He stepped off the stool and crouched to pick up the paper. When he turned it over, his heart leapt. It was the photo Furfur had taken of him and Aziraphale that night at the theatre when he had to "shoot" him. Taking a deep breath, he went over to the sofa—now practically his—and sat down, removing his sunglasses to study the picture closely. He hadn't noticed Muriel had finished organising the books and was now sitting across from him.

"I miss Mr Fell too" -she said softly, startling Crowley out of his thoughts.

He quickly stuffed the photo under the cushion he often used as a pillow. "Who said I miss him? I was just recalling how insufferable he was..." -he scoffed, putting his dark glasses back on to hide the pain and frustration. Of course he missed him, but he wasn't about to admit it. "Now, where were we?" -he asked briskly, standing up and heading to one of the shelves at the back.

Muriel just shook her head and followed him. For a moment, she paused, feeling a strange sensation—the same one she'd get whenever an angel descended. Bewildered, she glanced at the front door.

"WHERE IS SHE?" -Aziraphale's voice rang out, furious. His eyes had turned a deep purple, and everyone around him was terrified. "WHERE IS RAPHIEL?"

Metatron appeared, observing the slight imbalance in the Supreme Archangel. "Aziraphale, calm down. I'm sure you haven't searched everywhere."

Aziraphale glanced at Metatron, then at the globe. "I don't think so..."

"Actually..." -Michael began hesitantly. "The reports indicate that the lift has been used within the last few hours."

Aziraphale approached the globe and searched for Raphiel. "Raphiel!" -he called upon seeing her.

She turned, startled, realising she'd been discovered. "Father..."

"Return to Heaven at once. How could you descend without telling me?" -he scolded, feeling both upset and disappointed.

Raphiel clasped her hands, feeling remorseful, as she hadn't thought descending to Earth would be an issue. "I just wanted to see the place. You've told me so much about it."

Aziraphale gave a faint smile, slightly moved. "Just come back, okay?" -he asked.

But she frowned, something within her stirring in a strange way. Her eyes lit up, glowing golden. "No" -she replied curtly.

She blinked, regaining control, and feeling fearful of what had just happened, she started walking away from Aziraphale amidst the crowd.

The Archangel was left bewildered, glancing back at the assembly in Heaven, all forming a semi-circle around him with expectant expressions, which unsettled him greatly.

"Is something wrong, Aziraphale?" -Metatron asked, intrigued.

"Raphiel... she seemed like someone else for a moment" -he admitted, puzzled. "I'll have to go down; I can't leave her wandering about. Humans can be dangerous, and if something happens to her, she might not return here like the rest of us when we de-corporate."

With that, Aziraphale moved towards the lift, pausing for a moment as he looked at it with a mix of nerves, anticipation, and slight fear. Then he stepped in and pressed the button, beginning his descent to Earth.