Gabriel was back, but in his ethereal spirit.  He didn't realize how tiring it was to remain in illusory mortal form.  Having almost blown his cover at the hospital, he continued to guard Luna from a distance.  Upholding his code of honor as an angel, he protected her both in her private and public moments.  Of course, pain was a reality of life.  No angel from any heavens could or should protect humans from it.  Pain was what gave man his character and his thick skin.<br/><br/>Except that, Gabriel didn't like seeing Luna in physical or emotional duress.<br/><br/>"Your making it too personal" Mirnax reminded him when he asked about.  Of course, field work for angels was not like army life.  You were given a vast amount of freedom to do the right thing.  And if you did the wrong thing, you were not punished.  But you had to be careful; many angels had to return to the heavens almost useless because they loss their discernment to protect wisely.<br/><br/>Stationed by the door to her room, Gabriel stirred the air.  He tried to make it pleasant to breathe in; cool enough to wrap yourself in a blanket and feel cozy, yet warm enough not to be freezing.  He remembered a passage from ancient literature.  "Do not awake my love."  Funny the things you think about.  Luna needed sleep; maybe a healing sleep.<br/><br/>She had been in the hospital long enough, Gabriel thought.  He's going to end it now.  He laid his angelic hands on her head as she slept and he healed it almost completely.  He left a little scab, a little mark so she would still know something had happened there.  But he knew when morning came, it would feel like the dawn was opened to her.  Sleeping was best.<br/><br/>Fear.  Yes, it was he that walked all throughout this horrid place of a hospital.  Luna would be no different, she would not be exempt from that particular demon tonight if Gabriel left now.  Why did people awaken in night sweats?  Because Fear prodded at the heart's anxiety.  Not tonight; Gabriel determined he would guard the room from Fear; Fear was actually afraid of him.<br/><br/>It would be full battle gear tonight.<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://cache.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/403951-bigthumbnail.jpg">[ img ]</a>