Brianna smiled. “Thanks - I’m really glad to be here. I never expected to find such real people here.” Saphira’s eyebrows popped into her hairline and Brianna chuckled even as she blushed profusely at her forthrightness. “I’m sorry - that sounds pretty pretentious, doesn’t it? It’s just… you’ve shown more kindness to me, a complete stranger to you, than most people I consider to be friends.”

“It sounds like you need new friends,” Saphira growled as she swallowed the last bite of her food. Then she rose and went behind the counter, retrieving the apple pie and setting it in front of Esmeralda. With a thoughtful glance at Brianna, she withdrew a chocolate cake from the display and cut off a large slice, setting it in front of her. Green eyes widened comically before glancing at Saphira.

“Oh, I couldn’t,” she started, then stopped when Saphira held up her hand.

“I need to go clean up the last table before we can leave,” she said to Esmeralda. “Save a bite for me, will ya?”

Esmeralda smiled and offered her the first forkful and Saphira didn’t even hesitate. Brianna’s eyes nearly popped from her head and this time when blue and green eyes turned her way, they burned more fiercely than anything she had ever seen before. The flames were almost soul piercing and she swallowed hard.

“I’m sorry - I didn’t mean to stare. It’s just… I’ve never seen anyone be so comfortable together in public.”

“You mean a same-sex couple?” Esmeralda asked quietly. She squeezed Saphira’s hand lightly and with the smallest nod, Saphira moved off to take care of her work. Esmeralda returned her attention to Brianna and Brianna sighed with relief. The fierceness of Esmeralda’s gaze was no longer palpable and in fact felt almost understanding. Brianna nodded.

“Exactly,” she replied. “Most gay people of my acquaintance are unable to live so openly. It would destroy them - their families, their careers, their friendships….” Brianna trailed off and Esmeralda waited patiently. Finally Brianna resumed speaking though she tried to sound off-hand. “It’s just nice to see for a change.”

“Because you can’t?” Es asked without censure. Brianna smiled sadly.

“I never….” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter,” she said as she rose from her stool. “I’m sorry - I really should get going. Thank you for….” Brianna stopped when Esmeralda laid a hand on her arm.

“Please don’t go,” Es pled softly. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Brianna smiled again and covered Esmeralda’s hand with her own. “You didn’t,” Brianna assured her. “It’s just not something….”

“I understand,” Esmeralda said and looking into her eyes, Brianna was inclined to believe her. “You never have to, but if you ever need to….”

Brianna smiled and motioned around them. “I won’t, but I know where to find you when I need the company of real people and good food. Besides, I have to come back to meet Matilda, right?”

“Right.”

“Well then, let us get you where you need to be,” Saphira insisted as she hung up her apron and grabbed her jacket from the hook.

“I couldn’t ask you to do that,” Brianna said, even though a sense of relief flowed through her at the offer.

“You’re not asking,” Esmeralda stated with a smile as she accepted her jacket when Saphira wrapped it around her. “We’re offering. It’s what real people do, Brianna.”

Brianna smiled sadly and shook her head. “No, Esmeralda. It’s what good people do. Real people aren’t necessarily good ones - I know… I’ve seen plenty of real people in my lifetime and even more pretenders. And let me assure you that you and Saphira and Joe are the exception, not the rule.”

Esmeralda smiled. “Then we’re glad to be the exception,” turning to wrap Saphira’s scarf around her neck and tuck it into her jacket. She stood still while Saphira returned the favor, then together they turned back to Brianna.

“How long have you been together?” Brianna asked when she realized she was staring.

“An eternity,” Esmeralda replied without hesitation, and looking at the two of them, Brianna was inclined to believe her.

“You’re not joking are you?”

“Not at all. We’ve been together for as long as I can remember.”

Brianna couldn’t stop the smile that crossed her face. “You grew up together? That’s so amazing.”

Saphira wrapped an arm around Esmeralda and ushered them towards the door. “You have no idea - she is an angel to have put up with me for as long as she has.” She grabbed one of Brianna’s bags and waited for Brianna and Esmeralda to do the same before turning around to wave at Joe. “Night, Joe. See ya in the morning.”

“Thank you, Joe. It was nice to meet you,” Brianna added and then exited the diner.

“Night, girls,” he returned before coming around the counter to lock up behind them.

************

Brianna stopped walking as soon as she exited the diner, waiting for Saphira and Esmeralda to lead the way. Instead they turned to her and waited. She looked at them curiously. “Um… which way?”

Saphira smiled rakishly. “Depends - where do you wanna go?”

Brianna blushed and shook her head as she chuckled. “Sorry… been a long day for me.” She handed Saphira a card with an address. “This is where I’m supposed to be.”

Saphira held it up to the light, her eyebrows popping into her hairline. “Well,” she said after a moment’s pause, allowing her brows to return to their rightful place on her forehead. “You’re definitely lost. C’mon… we need to get you back to the Metro. You’re about three stops off the beaten path,” leading the way to the closest station.

They were silent as they swiped their cards and went through the turnstiles, sighing in relief when the train pulled in almost immediately. Saphira led the way and the others followed her, happy to sit down for their brief time to Brianna’s stop. When they reached it, Saphira stood and led the way back outside, immediately making a right and heading towards the secure apartment building Brianna would be living in for the time being.

When they reached the outer door, Saphira and Esmeralda placed Brianna’s bags beside her and stepped away. Brianna looked her question at them.

“We can’t go inside,” Esmeralda commented. “It’s a secure building and we haven’t been cleared for admittance.”

“You won’t lose touch with me, will you? It’s nice to know good people for a change.”

Esmeralda smiled and wrapped an arm around Brianna’s shoulder. “You know where to find us, Brianna Walker. And if you invite us to visit and clear us to be here, we’ll be here. Fair enough?”

“Fair enough,” Brianna grinned. “And I’m going to hold you to it.”

“We hope you do,” Saphira confirmed softly. “It’s nice to have met someone who… well, let’s just say you’ve been a breath of fresh air for us as well. Too many think it’s their place to look down and judge.”

Brianna smiled sadly. “Despite my time in the prosecutor’s office - or maybe because of it, I’ve learned to try not to judge people in my personal life. I would miss out on so many experiences if I only accepted people who were just like me. And honestly… wouldn’t life be boring if we were all cut out of the same exact cloth?”

“Maybe,” Saphira answered slowly, “but there would probably be less hatred and bigotry in the world if we were.”

“Perhaps,” Brianna conceded. “But for all its faults, I am thankful for the mishmash of humanity that exists. It allows me to meet people like you - people who bring something new and fresh into my life that makes me a richer, better person for it.” She paused. “I think God sent you to me… just when I needed you most.”

Saphira and Esmeralda exchanged startled glances before looking back at Brianna. Esmeralda took Brianna’s hand in hers. “I think God sent us to each other, Brianna. We’re happy to have made a new friend.”

Brianna pulled Esmeralda into a brief hug and reached out a hand to Saphira that she took without hesitation. “So am I,” she said with a hint of wonder in her voice. “I don’t usually trust this quickly, but my gut’s telling me you two are the real deal. And my gut rarely lies.”

Esmeralda chuckled. “Go with the gut then - and come see us when you get settled in.”

Brianna nodded. “I will. It might take a little while - I have a feeling this new job is going to take a bit of time to adjust to, but don’t lose faith. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“We’ll keep the light on for you.” Then Saphira took Esmeralda’s hand and pulled her from Brianna’s embrace, wrapping a possessive arm around her waist. They stood together watching as Brianna gathered up her luggage and headed inside, nodding at the doorman who suddenly appeared to help. He gave them a brief glance before relieving Brianna of her bags and she turned to wave goodbye once more as she disappeared.

Saphira turned to Esmeralda, finally letting her exhaustion show. “Home now?”

Esmeralda nodded with a tired smile. “Home now, beloved.”

************

The ride was silent; they had no need to fill it with meaningless chatter and anything they needed to say would wait until they were in the privacy of their home. Saphira unlocked the door and motioned Esmeralda in ahead of her. Then she closed and locked the door behind them and followed Es into their tiny bedroom.

Both women slipped out of their shoes with a tired groan and it was with a sense of relief that they showered briefly before curling up into bed together. When they were tucked in and the lights were turned off, Esmeralda spoke.

“Well,” she said softly into Saphira’s neck, “it’s started.”

“That it is,” Saphira agreed, feeling completely out of her depth. “The question is - what now?”

“As in what will happen now or what do we do now?”

“Either… both… I’m not sure. You know this isn’t generally my gig, sweetheart.” She shook her head and felt Esmeralda’s smile against her skin at the action. “Honestly, I don’t know how you do this kind of work… how you’ve managed to do this for so long without violence. Don’t you just want to shake some sense into them? Or I don’t know - tie them up and make them sit and talk til they work it all out on their own?”

Esmeralda chuckled and Saphira smiled even as she sighed in relief. Things had been tough for them for a while - what with her job issues and Esmeralda’s sickness. It was a blessing to hear Es laugh again, even if it was due to her complete frustration with their current assignment. And truth be told, Saphira couldn’t even resent the assignment or their situation too much - not as long as she and Esmeralda were still together.

Esmeralda blew out a warm breath against Saphira’s chest and she shivered in the wake of the goosebumps that followed. She felt Es grin again and trace a path along her suddenly burning skin.

“Sometimes,” she admitted, “it would be a lot simpler if we could just bang a few heads together and be done with it. It would also probably be a lot more satisfying. But unfortunately for us, and luckily for most of our charges, it doesn’t work that way. It requires patience and subtlety and….”

“… and a lot of teeth grinding.”

Es nodded. “Sometimes. But when it works - when we’re able to bring everything together and fix whatever it was that went so wrong - Phira, there’s nothing like it. It makes all the frustration and head banging worth it.”

Saphira chuckled soundlessly and shook her head again. “I’ll take your word for it, Es. I’d just as soon smack their heads together and be done with it.”

Esmeralda tilted her head back slightly and brought her hand up to cup Saphira’s face. “I know, love. It’s in your nature. That passion is just one reason I love you. But I do appreciate you being here for this one. I have a feeling it’s not going to be easy.”

Saphira snorted. “Like any of your assignments are,” turning her head and kissing Esmeralda’s palm.

“True,” sliding her hand into Saphira’s dark hair and gently massaging her scalp. “But I think one is going to be more difficult than most. So many people involved and my two protagonists….” She shook her head before tucking it beneath Saphira’s chin once more without missing a beat in her gentle scratching.

“Stubborn?”

“Let’s just say they remind me greatly of you.”

“Hey!” Saphira protested, though she really didn’t argue the point. “It sounds like you’ve got your work cut out for you.”

Esmeralda sighed. “We all do. I just want this to work out.” She paused. “Phira, they remind me so much of us… of what we could easily have been if things had worked out differently. We would have been miserable without each other, and for a while there, it was a near thing.”

“No matter what,” Saphira’s fierce possessiveness lighting a fire along Esmeralda’s nerve endings. “No matter what - we would have been together, Es. Anything else was never, ever an option and He knew that. They all did. I made that clear at the outset.”

Esmeralda shifted until she could look into Saphira’s eyes that glowed clearly in the otherwise thick darkness surrounding them. “Did you really?”

“Absolutely. Short of you choosing not to stay with me, nothing would have separated us.”

Esmeralda snuggled closer into Saphira’s body. “That means… everything.” Saphira brushed a kiss over the top of her head and felt Es sigh against her.

“What?” she whispered into the blonde hair.

“I don’t understand them, Phira. We came so close to losing this; we’d have done anything… everything… to keep it. You did - you stood up to Him and them for us. Why would they just throw something like this away?? Why give it up without even giving it a chance??”

“You can’t miss what you’ve never had, sweetheart, and I don’t think either of them have had it… not really.”

“I think Brianna is aware of it - that’s why she left. She loved Charisma enough to leave.”

“But not enough to fight for her - I don’t understand that.”

“That’s because you’re a warrior by nature, my love.”

“Well, I hope one of them figures out how to be a fighter sooner than later. I don’t think I’m cut out to live among humans for any length of time… especially as a waitress. This has to be the hardest work I’ve ever done - worse than fighting a legion of demons locked in an eternal struggle.”

Esmeralda couldn’t stop the laughter from escaping. “That bad, Phira?”

Saphira growled. “That bad.” Then she felt Esmeralda’s hands soothing her belly. “Although that’s making it much better.”

“You pleasure hound you.”

“Like you didn’t know that already,” Saphira snorted, then shifted on the bed until she was spooned around Esmeralda wrapping her in a total embrace. “C’mon, sweetheart. Despite our heavenly nature, we’ve still got to get some rest while we’re on the earthly plane. You especially - I don’t want you getting sick again.”

“Neither do I. Too much work still to do.”

“Close your eyes,” Saphira commanded then began humming a lullaby. It was the last thing Esmeralda heard before she drifted off to sleep.

Another smattering of applause and the Governor smiled, knowing it was time to wrap things up. “Ladies and gentlemen, Senator Brianna Walker.” Flashes snapped as Brianna accepted the Governor’s proffered hand, then she stepped behind the podium that had been set up for the press announcement.

“Thank you, Governor,” she accepted graciously. “I won’t keep you all out here in the freezing cold spotting platitudes and rhetoric and party line. I know you’ll be keeping an eye on me for a little while at least. I’ll let my actions speak louder than words.”

This garnered Brianna some real applause and some smiles before she waved and stepped back from the platform as the flashes popped off again. She was quickly escorted to a waiting car and the Governor followed her and she directed the driver to take them to the airport.

“Are you sure you can’t stay, Michael? I understand the President invited you to the luncheon today.”

“If Jenny had come with me, I would have said yes, but she would never forgive me for going without her. Surprisingly, the President understood that and graciously offered to extend an invitation to both of us another time.”

“Probably why he and his wife still actually give the appearance of happily married - he knows how to keep her happy.”

Michael chuckled at her dry tone and as the car reached the drop off area for private jets, he reached over and covered her hand. “You’ll have to let me know your thoughts after you sit down with him. In the meantime, don’t stress too much over this, Brianna. You can do this job - it’s why you were chosen. Just use the same tenacity you were famous for in the courtroom. There won’t be a senator on the Hill that will be able to push you around.”

He saw the shadow flash across her eyes, but it was gone before he could question its validity.

“Tell Jenny I’m looking forward to the two of you visiting together.”

“Will do,” Michael said as she opened the door. “Keep us in the loop, and let us know if you….”

“I’ll be fine, Michael. Go home to your wife.”

He rolled his eyes, but slid out of the car, giving Brianna a wave before closing it behind him. They watched him out of sight, then Brianna told the driver to go on. They pulled back into traffic and headed for the Senate. It was time to go to work.

************

“Well, that was interesting,” Saphira said as she dressed for the lunch shift at the diner. Esmeralda put the last of their breakfast dishes away and dried her hands before turning to look at Saphira.

“It was something, but I’m not sure exactly what it was supposed to accomplish.”

“It was an introduction. It was meant to get people’s attention. I’m pretty sure it did that. And I’m pretty sure you’ll probably get an earful about it sooner or later.”

Es sighed. “I hope this doesn’t backfire, Phira.” Saphira cocked her head. “This could push Charisma right over the edge.”

“No,” Saphira stated fiercely. “Don’t lose your faith now, Es. She needs this push. You know and I know that everything has to blow to hell and back between Brianna and Charisma before anything real can happen for them here in this time and place. They are too pigheaded stubborn to allow it to be easy. But we’re gonna make sure to give them that chance if we have to drag them to it kicking and screaming.”

Esmeralda chuckled, feeling better by the minute. “And once we get them there?”

Saphira smiled smugly and briefly she allowed her true self to flash across her person - spreading her wings to their fullest extension and grasping the sword in both hands as the flame raced from hilt to tip. She held the pose momentarily, then reverted to her human form, waggling her eyebrows rakishly. “I don’t think keeping them there to work things out will be a real problem, Es. If the wings don’t stun them, the fiery sword will.”

“Well it would certainly get their attention,” Esmeralda commented after clearing her throat delicately and wiping the smile from her face. “But I’m not sure He would accept the results that sort of <ahem> convincing.”

Saphira smirked, though her shoulders fell and her eyes lost their twinkle. “Probably not. He has a knack for taking the fun out of things.”

Esmeralda wrapped Saphira in her embrace, gratified beyond words when Saphira returned it without hesitation. “You know it has to be their choice, love. Putting the fear of Him into them like that eliminates their free will - and that negates all of our efforts as well.”

Saphira sighed. “I know. Doesn’t make the prospect any less tempting.” She pulled back just slightly, enough to duck her head and capture Esmeralda’s lips in a fervent kiss. “Try to get some rest today,” she chided as they separated. “The place couldn’t get any cleaner if He came in and did it Himself, and you still look tired.”

“I am a little, but so do you,” Es confessed as she pushed dark bangs out of Saphira’s eyes. “You need a trim.”

Saphira blew out a breath, fluffing her bangs up briefly and drawing a smile from Esmeralda. “I know,” she replied drolly, but unable to keep herself from responding to the happiness in Esmeralda’s eyes. “You do what you need to do to make this work, Es,” returning to their original discussion. “I’ll follow you.”

“Walk beside me, Phira. That’s all I ask.”

“Sounds like a plan, Es, but I’ve gotta go before I’m late.” She brushed their lips together once more. “I’ll see you tonight?”

“As soon as I can get there. I’ll call if it looks like I’m going to be late.”

Saphira nodded and headed out the door. Esmeralda watched her go, then lay down on the couch, hoping for a few minutes of rest before she needed to get up to run a few errands before heading in to work. She was therefore more than a little disconcerted to open her eyes what felt like mere moments later to find a couple hours had passed and someone was knocking on her door.

She blinked sleepily, trying to kick-start her brain, even as she rose from the sofa and made her way towards the door. She peeked through the hole and smiled, opening the door to let Amber in. Amber cupped Esmeralda’s face in her hands and let her golden eyes roam over Es’ features. Esmeralda captured Amber’s hands in hers and smiled.

“I’m all right, Amber. I just fell asleep.”

“Best thing for you,” she stated unequivocally. Esmeralda rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the grin that crossed her face.

“I know - you sound just like Saphira.”

Now it was Amber’s turn to roll her eyes and she did so with gusto. “Imagine that,” she said drolly. “You’d think we were related or something.”

“Or something for sure,” Es chuckled. “How’d things go last night?”

“About like you’d expect. Charisma went home and put Adam to bed. Then she went into her study and stayed there for a long time.” Amber looked at Esmeralda’s expectant face and she sighed. “There was no way for me to see clearly without literally climbing into her personal space - she was curled around them protectively.”

“But…?”

“But she got out an album of pictures. And from the frantic way she searched for them and the possessive way she safeguarded them even in the privacy of her own home, I’d say it was *the* album… the pictures from her European trip with Brianna.”

Esmeralda gnawed her lip thoughtfully as she considered Amber’s words. “Only those?” she finally asked.

Amber gave an exasperated sigh. “I don’t know, Es. I really couldn’t see. But if I was to offer a guess, I would say yes - only those. I will try to get a look tonight.”

“And Kent?”

Amber shook her head. “He got in late, but he didn’t disturb her. He went straight to his room and settled in for the night. Charisma didn’t even give him a thought when she finally went upstairs last night. She re-hid the album in her office then went right to her room, but she didn’t sleep - at least not for a long time. It was almost dawn before I saw her eyes flutter closed. And even then it wasn’t particularly restful.”

“So how did she take the announcement?”

“Do the words fire and ice mean anything to you?”

“Oh boy.”

“Yeah… although I’ll admit that my first thought was duck and cover.”

“Great. Well, I guess tonight should be interesting.”

Amber chuckled. “You, my dear, are a master of understatement.”

Esmeralda glared at her compatriot briefly before she closed her eyes and whispered a short prayer. “Well,” she said when green appeared again. “We knew it was coming. The sooner we get started….”

“… the sooner we get this mess fixed. At least you know she won’t take it out on you.”

“Yes she will, Amber. I will be the closest, safest target. That’s one reason I am where I am.”

“What?? How do you figure?”

“C’mon, Amber… how many times have we been through this? She can’t have a public reaction of any kind - it would invite too many questions from constituents and opponents alike. She would never take it out on Adam, and Kent is immune because she needs to cling to the facade of her marriage, especially now that Brianna Walker has been forced into her life again, however benign their interaction. She trusts me - it may take a little while, but eventually she is going to need to vent, and I am the most logical person for her to talk to. She knows I know how to keep her secrets; I already have to some extent.”

“You don’t think she will do something stupid?”

“It’s my job to make sure she doesn’t,” Es sighed. “You crashing?” she asked, watching Amber’s golden eyes start to droop shut.

“Yeah… long night.” Her shoulders slumped. “I don’t know, Es. It was disheartening… or maybe I’m just tired from being up all night and half the day besides.” She rotated her head and shoulders in an attempt to relieve the stress she felt. “How do humans put up with this?”

Esmeralda gave Amber a long look. “They don’t know any other way? At least you don’t have to be corporeal for most of your work in this case… although I know staying in an invisible observation state for hours on end is draining.” She motioned towards Amber’s teensy bedroom. “Go get some sleep. I’ve got a few errands to run before I go to work. I’ll leave you something for supper.”

Amber nodded before walking into her room and falling face first into her bed. Es just smiled and shook her head, then closed the door softly. She gathered up her purse and coat, wrapping her scarf around her neck and pulling on her gloves. With a final look around the spotless apartment, Esmeralda stepped out into the cold and headed out to take care of her errands.

************

When Esmeralda came home to drop of her few packages, she checked on Amber only to find that her fellow guardian hadn’t stirred an inch. She shook her head, understanding all too well the exhaustion Amber felt, then she turned to the kitchen and started preparing a simple meal. She ate her portion, then covered the rest and left it for Amber when she got up. Then she gathered her things and headed out again, this time making her way to work at the Senate Building.

She passed through security, nodding to the guys she saw every night and waving to her fellow custodians. Esmeralda went directly to her cleaning closet, collecting her cart and checking her supplies before starting her nightly rounds.

“Esmeralda?” Her boss calling her name pulled Es out of the brown study she’d fallen into as she did her restocking by rote. She looked up and smiled. Rick had been a good friend to her since she’d come to work for him and very understanding about her medical issues.

“Hey Rick… what’s up?”

“I just wanted to let you know that you’ve got to cover the new Senator.” Her brows rose in question and Rick continued speaking. “You know that Senator Whitman retired because of his health. Well, his replacement has been installed in his office. I know it’s unusual, but someone managed to pull some serious strings for the new senator to keep her there for at least the length of his remaining tenure. So, you’ve got the new kid, kid,” he added with a waggle of bushy gray eyebrows.

Esmeralda nodded. “All right, Rick. I’ll take care of her. Do you know…? Nevermind.”

“What?”

“I was wondering if you knew her work habits - whether she worked late or not. But she hasn’t been here long enough for us to have even heard anything yet… to say nothing of having any practical knowledge.”

“No, but from what I have heard of her time as a District Attorney, I’m thinking you probably have another Senator Tagherty on your hands.” Green eyes flew open wide and Rick chuckled. “I know,” he said in response. “If they all worked that hard, the world would be a much better place.”

“Yes, but I’d never get *my* work done in that case,” Es confided with a wry chuckle.

“And on that note,” Rick said as he stepped away from her cart, “I’ll let you get to work.”

“Thanks for the heads-up, Rick.”

“Anytime, Es. Tell Saphira hello from me.”

“Will do.”

She watched him walk back towards his office and shook her head at the way things were falling into place. Then she gathered up her supplies and started forward to make her rounds.

Most of the senators were in session or in meetings or otherwise out of the office at this time of day and it didn’t take Esmeralda much time to tidy and clean each of these office areas. The spaces that had pages and other political assistants taking care of various duties went a little slower, but the employees recognized Esmeralda and greeted her cordially.

As darkness fell around her and evening gave way to night, Esmeralda slowly made her way through the offices she was assigned to, saving Brianna and Charisma for the last.

She knocked on the door like she always did before entering a senator’s private office space, not even a little surprised to hear Brianna’s voice bid her entrance. Esmeralda opened the door and pushed the cart in ahead of her, turning to close the door behind her before facing the woman currently seated behind the desk.

“Esmeralda?” Brianna asked as she rose from her seat. “What are you…?” She held up her hands to stop her question and Esmeralda’s answer. “Sorry - obviously you’re working. I just didn’t realize….”

“I can come back if my being here is a problem, Senator Walker.”

Brianna frowned. “Senator Walker? What happened to Brianna?”

“It’s not my place to assume that sort of intimacy inside these walls, Senator.”

“And if I insist?”

“I am happy to be recognized as a friend, Brianna.”

Brianna smiled and stepped forward, embracing Esmeralda briefly before moving back and crossing her arms over her chest. “Always, Esmeralda. You’re the nicest surprise I’ve had all day.”

“Rough first day?”

“Just a lot of politics - story of my life for a while, I’m afraid. But seriously, it is great to see you. Did you know…?”

“That you’d be here? Not until I got to work this evening. Rick told me someone pulled strings to keep you here.” Brianna tilted her head. “Normally, junior senators don’t start off here. This building is considered premium real estate and most senators wait for years before having the opportunity to occupy an office here. Some never do. So someone worked a deal somewhere to keep you here.”

“So I’ve already started out owing favors?”

Es shrugged. “It’s the way of things here - business as usual.” Brianna didn’t comment, but went around and sat back at her desk. “So is it all right…?” motioning to her cart. “I won’t get in your way.” Brianna nodded.

“Yes, please.” She let the silence go on for a little while, then…. “Tell me about you and Saphira.” Esmeralda cocked an eyebrow in Brianna’s direction. “I’d just like to know more about you.” Brianna paused. “Tell you what - you share with me and I’ll share with you.”

“All right,” Esmeralda agreed as she picked up the duster. “I’ll start. Do you want to ask specific questions or should I just throw out random bits of information?”

Brianna’s eyes narrowed. “You haven’t always been a custodian, have you?” Esmeralda grinned. This was going to be fun.

“Call it prosecutor’s intuition,” Brianna said with a satisfied smile, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning back in her chair. For the first time since the announcement about her posting that very morning - what felt like a veritable lifetime ago - Brianna felt comfortable. Though she had only met Esmeralda the previous day, there was something about her that inspired a sense of well-being and Brianna hadn’t been kidding when she’d told them she’d long ago learned to trust her gut. It was an instinct she had developed the hard way and she wasn’t going to dismiss it now… especially when it boded well for her for a change.

She noted the smirk on Esmeralda’s face and couldn’t stop the smile from breaking out across her own, even though she was confident that the twinkle reflected in green eyes that could have been her twins meant nothing but trouble for her. “What?”

“I didn’t realize prosecuting attorneys were allowed to have intuition, Senator. I thought they had to check it at the door in order to get their ID badges.”

“Oh ho… funny woman, hmm?” Brianna allowed the twinkle to form in her own eyes. “Let me guess - you were a comedienne in another life,” she continued drolly.

“No, I’ve always been a custodian or a janitor in one capacity or other. I’m good at it, it pays the bills and you’d be surprised at the things you learn cleaning up behind a person. And while I would never use that knowledge for my own personal gain, it has taught me how to read and relate to people better. And that has given me some wonderful, interesting friends in my life.”

“Seriously?”

“Absolutely. To those who see me - who relate to me as a person - I am a viable friend… someone who has earned trust and respect. But to most of those that I work for, I’m not a person but a job to be done. They don’t see me - only the results of my labor - so it’s easy to dismiss me, but it tends to make them more careless than they would be if they realized I was able to see the things they left behind.”

Brianna tilted her head, eyes gone serious at Esmeralda’s words. “Such as?”

“Well, you can tell about a lot about a person’s personal habits by how they leave their desk. Or what they throw away. What they eat or how they personalize their workspace.”

“So you’re a student of human nature?”

“Something like that,” Es shrugged diffidently. “It keeps my mind busy at any rate.”

“Don’t downplay your intelligence, Esmeralda, or any of the other talents that you possess.” Brianna held up her hand to keep Esmeralda from interrupting before she could finish. “I don’t trust easily, Es - I’ve learned not to in my line of work. Too many people have a tendency to lie first and I’ve come to expect it as a matter of course. Because of that I have developed a sense about people - not always completely accurate, but right much more often than not.”

Esmeralda nodded, but waited for Brianna to continue.

“There’s something about you, Esmeralda. You are much more than you allow most to see, but still people feel comfortable around you. I imagine a lot of people talk to you - spilling any number of secrets. And you keep each and every one.”

“Brianna, you haven’t known me long enough to make that sort of judgment.”

Brianna smiled, the expression genuine and visible in her eyes. “Normally, I’d agree with you. But I’d be willing to bet good money I’m right.”

“You sure it’s not just because you need someone to talk to… need someone to trust?” Esmeralda watched sadly as the light faded from Brianna’s eyes. “I’m not saying you’re wrong, Brianna, but I don’t want you to ever regret confiding in me.”

“Do you think I would?”

“I would never give you a reason to, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have doubts and regrets if you jumped in with both feet right at the start. Right now you have nothing more to go on than your gut and my word, and while I’m sure you trust your gut with very good reason, my word means nothing to you yet.”

Brianna sat back, impressed despite herself. “Seems you really are a student of human nature, Esmeralda. You appear to know me very well. So what does my office tell you about me?”

“Aside from the fact that you are moving in?” Es asked with some levity, motioning to the many boxes still packed and scattered around the large space. Brianna smiled with appreciation then nodded and Es took her time surveying the room, walking around slowly as she observed everything.

“Well, going strictly by the labels on the boxes, you are something of a scholar if the sheer number and variety of books is anything to go by. That is not the most important thing to you though as they haven’t even been opened and uncrated yet. You were probably a Girl Scout at some point in your life as evidenced by the large first aid kit and several changes of clothing already ensconced in your closet. Family and friends are important to you - though some hold more weight and value in your life than others do. You traveled the world a bit when you were younger, but adulthood and its responsibilities allows you that luxury only on rare occasions. And either photography is a bit of a serious hobby or you travel alone now when you go.” She tapped her fingers on her lips, pretending not to notice Brianna’s shell-shocked countenance. “Let’s see… what else?”

“There’s more?”

“Not much at first glance,” Esmeralda confessed as her eyes continued to roam the room. “I’d say you probably came from money and that your parents divorced when you were still fairly young although you appear to have found or cultivated a new family unit. And you’re most comfortable surrounded by the warmth of familiarity that these reminders bring you. Other than that…?” She shrugged. “Only time will reveal more.”

Brianna blinked. “How did you…?” She looked around the office. “How can you tell all that? All I see is a bunch of unpacked boxes in a mostly bare space.”

“I explained about the books,” Esmeralda started patiently, waiting for Brianna to nod her agreement. “Were you a girl scout?”

Brianna blushed slightly but nodded again. “I went through the whole program - I was an ambassador.”

“Which is why you’ve learned to prepare for the unexpected as much as you possibly can.”

“And the family and friends?”

“You already have their pictures out and placed around your office; you can see all of them, but their framing and placement indicate their value in your life. This one,” picking up the crystal frame Brianna had purchased in Ireland years before. “This one is especially important - the frame is expensive and it holds the most prominent position on your desk - so it stands to reason that the other person in it is important to you… or was when the picture of the two of you was taken. Either way, it is a reminder of what you consider to be one of the happiest times of your life. These,” motioning to a small grouping of silver frames on one corner of the desk, “are family or close friends, I’m guessing… maybe both. Those,” gesturing to the pictures hung on the wall across from the desk, “are people you’re glad to have met - you may even keep in touch with the occasional email or Christmas cards - but that’s it. The collages - places you’ve gone and the memories make you happy, so you keep them close behind you where you can turn and look anytime you need to relax.”

“I would guess these,” motioning to two pictures that hung on either side of prominently displayed diplomas, “are your parents. You have her height, build and eye color and his smile and hair. Since you are alone with your father in his picture and with your mother and her husband in hers and since your dad isn’t wearing a wedding ring, it stands to reason that they are no longer married to one another. The fact that there is no mark on his ring finger means they probably haven’t been together for a while.”

“And the travel?”

Esmeralda smiled. “That was actually the easiest.” She walked around the desk to take a closer look. “These,” pointing to the college of Brianna’s and Charisma’s graduation trip, “show you in most of them. If I was to guess, I’d say probably when you were in college and you traveled with at least one friend,” not yet mentioning she recognized the same younger version of Charisma Tagherty that sat so prominently on Brianna’s desk in the crystal frame. “These,” gesturing to the next set, “ are still whimsical and personal, and yet there are no obvious people in them, except the one you’re in. The photos are of the places themselves, not the people you spent time with there. The timeline is only a guess on my part because photography has changed so much over the last twenty years or so, but I’d guess the two trips were at least ten years apart. And these,” standing in front of the last collage, “these are the work of an artist - someone who knows how frame a shot and get the maximum effect. You could probably sell them if you were so inclined. I find it interesting that you don’t seem to have visited the same place twice in a row… judging by your photography anyway.”

Esmeralda turned to face Brianna, smiling gently at the totally gobsmacked look that graced her face. “So… how’d I do?”

Brianna blinked a couple times, her mouth opening and closing silently as she tried to recover her scattered wits. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were either psychic or a stalker.” She held up her hand before Esmeralda could protest. “But your explanations - seeing through your eyes was amazing… and very telling in and of itself.”

“How so?”

“You’re wasted as a custodian, Esmeralda. You should be a police detective or a secret service agent. You don’t miss very much and you have a real grasp on human nature.”

Esmeralda smiled. “Lots of practice.” She drew in a breath then hesitated, unsure if she should continue. Brianna cocked and inquiring brow and Es shrugged. “I was just noticing - this reminds me of someone I know,” retrieving the crystal frame from the desk and studying it carefully. “Another friend of mine. This young woman is about half her age, although given your age here….” She placed it gently back on the desk and met Brianna’s green eyes squarely, shaking her head. “But what are the odds of that, huh?”

Brianna smiled weakly, but plowed ahead. “This friend… she doesn’t happen to be a United States Senator, does she?”

“As a matter of fact….”

“Um hmm… and does she have a name?”

“Senator Tagherty… Charisma Tagherty. Is that…?”

Brianna nodded. “We were college roommates and best friends once upon a time. Then our lives took different paths and we lost touch with one another.”

Esmeralda smiled despite the feeling of impending doom that suddenly resonated throughout the room. The tension was apparent in the stiff lines of Brianna’s body and Es could feel it scrape and vibrate along her own nerves. However, she was committed to this course of action, so….

“Well, then - isn’t it nice that you’re neighbors now?” gesturing towards the closed office door. “It will give you the chance to….”

“No!” Brianna cut in before Esmeralda could finish her thought. Esmeralda looked at her with shock and confusion clear in her eyes and expression. While Brianna’s reaction was not unexpected for the angel, the custodian needed a more human response.

“But…?”

Brianna held up her hand to halt Esmeralda’s words and she took a deep breath before speaking again herself. “I appreciate what you’re saying, Esmeralda. But that was a long time ago - things aren’t the same anymore.”

Es rolled her eyes dramatically, coaxing a reluctant smile from Brianna despite her best efforts to remain stern. “Of course they’re not, Brianna. Life is about change - it’s the one guaranteed constant we’re assured of. That doesn’t make it a bad thing. C’mon… can you sit there and tell me you have so many friends you can afford to refuse the opportunity to make another… or renew one that’s been lost for years?”

“In this case, yes,” Brianna replied firmly. “Leave it alone, Esmeralda. You don’t know what happened between Charisma and me.”

“You’re not going to able to avoid her forever, Brianna. You’re from the same state; your offices are just down the hall from one another; and you belong to the same social and political circles. Eventually you’re going to run into one another.”

“I’m sure at some point we’ll even have to work together. That doesn’t mean we have to try to be friends again, Es. Far too much water has flowed beneath that particular bridge, I’m afraid. However, I am a consummate professional - I’ve spent years cultivating that persona in the courtroom - and I will deal with Senator Tagherty as such. She’s done a lot of good in her position Esmeralda, and I admire that about her - I always have. I also appreciate the hard work and effort she’s put into her career. Her focus was legendary in college and she’s successful for that very reason. I’ve had to do much the same thing to be at the top of my profession.” Brianna shrugged. “We don’t have to be friendly to get things done.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier?”

“Probably. But it’s not likely, so I’m happy just to maintain the status quo.”

Esmeralda remained quiet for a bit, biting her lip in silent contemplation. Finally… “I think you’re wrong, you know.”

Brianna smiled sadly. “I know. It still doesn’t alter the truth.”

“Maybe,” Es conceded as she started putting her cleaning supplies away. “Will you do something for me?”

Brianna eyed her warily. “What, exactly?”

“Let me reintroduce you. Nothing fancy… nothing public. Just a casual reintroduction here. She works late many nights… says she gets more done without all the interruptions daylight hours bring.”

Brianna blew out a frustrated breath. She’d known when she’d accepted the appointment to this position that she and Charisma would have to meet face to face at some point. Would it be better to do so privately with only the two of them where things could turn personal and questions get asked that Brianna didn’t have a ready answer she was willing to share? Or in a public venue where the hundreds of eyes surrounding them ensured that any interaction between them would remain polite and professional? Brianna scoffed silently to herself. She felt confident, given their history and the fact that Charisma had let her go without seeking her out for answers years ago, that as long as she did not assume the air of an injured party, things could remain cordial and cool between them. And since she freely acknowledged that she was the one that had set them on this course years ago, she decided that was the best she could hope for.

“I’ll tell you what, Es. You talk to Charisma first. If she wants something like that, then I’ll agree to it, all right?”

Esmeralda studied green eyes so like her own for a long moment, then solemnly nodded once. “All right.” She pushed her cart towards the door. She stopped when Brianna called out to her again, then turned to look at her, waiting for her to speak.

“Why do you care? You don’t know me… not really… and you don’t know the story of what happened between me and Charisma or the circumstances surrounding our estrangement. So why?”

Esmeralda held her eyes for a long moment. “I’ve been where you are Brianna.” She held up her hand to keep Brianna from interrupting her. “No, I don’t know the details of what happened between you and Charisma, but the look you have in your eyes? I’ve seen that look in my own before. It was one of the darkest periods of my life… when I thought Saphira was lost to me forever. If I can do something to bring you a measure of peace, even if it is just be there to support you both when you meet again for the first time or listen when you need to talk, I want to do that. No one should be completely alone, especially in that much pain - no matter how bravely and stoically you try to bear it.”

“Will you tell me the story one day?”

Esmeralda smiled gently. “Absolutely. I got my happy ending, you know.”

“I know,” Brianna agreed softly, remembering the feeling of family she’d felt surrounding the two of them the night before. “I hope you realize how lucky you are.”

“I count my blessings every single day, Brianna. But I need to get a move on. I still have work to do, and I promised to meet Saphira at the diner when I’m done.”

Brianna nodded, donning her professional facade once more. She rose and moved to open the door for Esmeralda, stopping her just outside the office with a touch on her arm. “Thank you, Esmeralda,” her eyes conveying so much more than her words. Esmeralda simply smiled and nodded then headed through the outer offices towards the hall. Brianna watched her go, only closing the door when she was out of sight.

When she was in the hall, Esmeralda leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. Well, it could have gone better, but it certainly wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Of course, there’s still Charisma to talk to and after what Amber said….

Esmeralda shook her head and sighed, pushing off the wall and slipping down the hallway to her next charge. This was turning out to be a far more interesting day than she’d expected. But at least her talk with Brianna had given her an inkling of hope about the possibilities of salvaging things. Time to beard the lion, she thought, and knocked softly on Charisma’s door.

Only time would tell if her inklings were right.

Guardian Angel - Part 5

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