Disappear: Into Shadow

- CHAPTER SIXTY SIX -

Near the ruined black cathedral, Azrael and Michael stood on a rocky outcropping. Overlooking the blood red forest, they watched as the night sky was scorched by the comet trail tracks of Uriel's fall from grace.

"Uriel. I never would have guessed that he would fall." Observed Azrael. "He'll finally get to see Hell."

"He's welcome to it then." Michael said. "I hope he Dumah get along. Or not."

"You know neither of them."

"From what I've seen, heard and been shown of them both is all I need to know. Maybe they'll even become the best of friends."

"Just like you and Dagan?" Azrael asked.

"I still don't remember him. Considering all that he's done, all he's doing? How could we ever have been friends?"

"I'm not sure, but you were. Perhaps more for your part than his."

As the lights of Uriel's fall faded away, Michael turned to Azrael. "How about us?" he asked. "Are we friends?"

"I suppose," Azrael said, then, checking herself added, "Yes, of course."

"You suppose? Of course? Which one is it.?"

"Of course," She said, soft. And, for Azrael, it was even a touch sweet.

"It was your office that answered first, right?"

"Yes, I suppose it was."

"Does that mean you're not your office? You're something greater than what you do, than what your responsibilities are?"

"I had never thought to look at it that way." Azrael said and made a note of it. This was a new oddity for her to view her duties through. Could she be more than her office? Could she make her office greater through being true to her greater self? Had she already been doing that? In part, she decided. What could this mean?

"Could you be more than your office?" Michael asked her and then offered, "Could you be your office; and, be with me?

"I'm not certain." She replied. "The risks you take, Michael. Coming here was foolish."

"Coming here was necessary. Coming here on my own would have been foolish."

"I take your point." Azrael allowed. "You came for me. I appreciate that."

"You'd come for me. If you could."

"If I could," she agreed. "That's my office speaking."

"I know. I know you. I've lost too many memories, but I do know you. I, love you." He said.

Azrael turned towards him and sunk her head against his shoulder. "I know," She said.

The silence that followed, held.

"But," Michael added.

"I'm afraid to say it." She replied.

"Afraid?" he asked.

"Of what comes next. What comes after I say it."

"Anything. Everything. You'll never know until you say it."

Azrael looked up and into Michael's eyes. They held the tender connection between them for an impenetrable moment. "Be patient with me> What I feel is new to me. I'm going to make mistakes." She said.

"I'll be here to help you through those times too. For once, you can let me be your guide." Michael laughed at the expression on her face and said, "It's not all doom and gloom, Az. There are wonderful moments too. Like now." Without breaking his eyes from hers, he asked, "Haven't you ever wanted to feel something in exactly the same way as another..."