“You were tickling me.”

Es smiled briefly before tucking herself back beneath Saphira’s chin. “Sorry,” she said softly, though the smile was apparent in her voice. Saphira shifted to keep Esmeralda in a one armed embrace and turned them towards the seating area of the diner. She closed the door and locked it, drawing the blinds and flipping the ‘open’ sign off. Then they made their way to the counter and took a seat as Joe came around from the back with two laden plates.

Esmeralda cocked an eyebrow at him. He grinned and set one between them and put the other in front of himself. Saphira rose and filled three glasses with milk, placing them on the counter before resuming her seat beside Esmeralda.

“Thank you, Joe,” Es said as she picked up half of the huge club sandwich.

“Anytime, Essie. You eat up. Matilda should be here in a few and you don’t want her to see you picking at your food. She already worries about you enough,” he said with the merest hint of chiding in his voice.

“I know. I’m sor….” She stopped speaking when Joe held up his hand.

“I’m not saying it to make you feel bad, Essie. I just want you to know you’re important to more than just Saphira. You were sick for a long time, and we worry about you... both of you. You’ve been like family to us since you came here and we just wanna see you get back to full health again.”

Esmeralda smiled and covered his hand. “I’m getting better every day, Joe.”

“If you’re gonna be holding hands with my hubby, I think I’m gonna be stealing me a kiss from your best girl,” Matilda declared as she came around from the kitchen and brushed a kiss over Saphira’s cheek before coming around to cup Esmeralda’s face in her hands. “How’re you doing, Essie? I missed seeing you yesterday.”

Es patted the hands that held her face and kept her eyes locked on Matilda’s deep brown ones. “I’m better, Matilda… really. Just a little tired.”

Matilda studied the green eyes that held hers, brushing a lock of blonde hair from her face. “You’re working too hard. Are those big shots on the Hill working you to death?”

“No, Matilda. My work isn’t stressful and the Senators that I work for are very kind to me. Besides,” she added impishly, “I get the best gossip you know. I could probably make a fortune if I ever decided to become a tell-all author.”

“You probably could,” Matilda snorted, holding her eyes for another long moment, then nodding her head. “All right. Now eat up,” motioning to the unfinished sandwich and the fries Saphira hadn’t eaten. “I have chocolate cake for you to take home with you,” chuckling as Esmeralda’s eyes widened comically. “Please… like I don’t know exactly what it’ll take to fatten you up. It’s in a box in the fridge. Uh uh,” she continued when Es made as if to get up to go retrieve it. “Food first… then cake. And don’t even try it,” Matilda instructed when Esmeralda’s bottom lip threatened to make an appearance. “You act like I didn’t learn all the tricks with my own kids,” she added with a snort. “You’re gonna have to get a lot older before you get old enough to put one over on me, young lady. And you should already be old enough to know better than to even try.”

“Yes, Matilda,” Esmeralda agreed with a smirk green eyes twinkling merrily. Matilda snorted again and shook her head. She turned to Saphira who was swallowing the last of her milk. “You better keep an eye on this one, Phira,” she commented. “She’s getting saucy again.”

Saphira grinned. “Good… I’ve missed the sauciness. Saucy means she’s feeling better.”

Esmeralda swallowed her mouthful and glared at them both balefully. “I’m sitting right here, you know.” Saphira wrapped an arm around her shoulders and Esmeralda relaxed into the embrace.

“We know… that’s what makes it easy.”

Esmeralda didn’t deign to speak again; instead, she concentrated on finishing the food Joe had prepared. With a contented sigh, she popped the last fry into her mouth and chugged the last of her milk. She deliberately snatched up her napkin and wiped the milk mustache covering her upper lip.

“Feel better?” Saphira asked with real concern in both eyes and voice. Esmeralda’s lack of response to Matilda’s teasing meant one of two things - either she had just been peckish and needed to eat, in which case she would soon make a snarky remark as payback. Or something deeper was wrong. And given her slumped posture as she approached the diner earlier, Saphira was inclined to lean towards the second option. “Es?”

Esmeralda turned her face into Saphira’s neck for a long moment, closing her eyes and accepting the wordless comfort she found there. When Saphira’s arms tightened convulsively around her, she sighed and pulled back and looked into troubled blue eyes. Esmeralda smiled gently.

“I’m fine, Phira. Just been one of those days.”

Saphira cocked an eyebrow, but she realized Esmeralda couldn’t elaborate in front of their mortal friends, regardless of how much they loved and trusted Joe and Matilda. Angel business was strictly that, and not losing face in front of the mortals they interacted with was one of the first rules they tried to abide by.

Matilda leaned over and placed a hand on Esmeralda’s forehead, briefly checking for fever before brushing a kiss over the self-same spot. She exchanged glances with Saphira and pushed away from the counter to head back towards the kitchen. Saphira followed suit, gathering the empty plates, only to have Joe take them from her. So she turned back towards Esmeralda, waiting for her to stand before helping her on with her coat. Es was returning the favor just as Matilda returned from the kitchen with a box in hand.

“Here,” she offered and Saphira accepted the box. “There’s a big piece in there for you to share tonight and three smaller pieces - one for each of you to have tomorrow and one for Amber. You go home now and get some rest, all right?”

Esmeralda smiled and leaned forward to brush a kiss over the older woman’s cheek. “Thank you, Matilda. You’re the best. God will repay you in kind one day.”

The woman shook her head slightly as though to brush off the words. “I dunno about that, Essie. But I do know what goes around will come around and it don’t pay to kick folks when they’re down. And I know you and Saphira have had more than your share of trials and tribulations.” She chuckled at the bewildered look on the two that stood facing her. “I know you don’t say much, but we know,” motioning between her and Joe. “We’ve been there a time or two before ourselves and I recognize the look. Now,” shooing them towards the door unceremoniously, “home… both of you.”

They leaned around on either side of Matilda. “Night, Joe.”

He grinned and waved. “Night, lovelies. Be safe,” he added before disappearing into the kitchen. Matilda urged them towards the door.

“You heard the old man,” she said with a smile. “Be safe. We’ll see you both tomorrow.” She let them out the door and locked it firmly behind them, then waited for them both to turn and wave goodnight one last time before they headed for the subway. Only then did Matilda move away from the door and head to the back.

Saphira and Esmeralda walked in silence til they reached the station, swiping their cards and nodding to the attendants who recognized them. The train pulled in just as they approached the platform and they stepped aboard, finding a seat with ease and settling back for the short ride to their stop.

When they reached their small apartment, it was quiet and empty. Amber had long since headed out for her assignment and it was only the two of them in the house. Saphira took Esmeralda’s coat and her own, hanging them neatly in the closet while Esmeralda put their cake on a plate and stuffed the rest of it into the fridge. Then they headed to their room together. A few minutes spent preparing for bed and they were soon curled up together in the middle of the mattress sharing the large slice of decadent chocolate cake. After they were finished, Saphira placed the plate on the nightstand and took Esmeralda in her arms.

“You ready to talk about it?” she asked quietly.

Esmeralda sighed and curled tighter into Saphira’s body. “Some days, Phira,” shaking her head and sighing again. “Charisma didn’t show up for work - actually, that’s not quite true. She wasn’t there very long because Amber got a call to go looking for her. I’m still not sure….”

She broke off abruptly and when she didn’t continue, Saphira prompted, “You want to start at the beginning, sweetheart? I’m a little lost.”

Esmeralda sighed again. “You heard the announcement of Brianna’s appointment,” feeling Saphira nod her head above her. “According to Amber, Charisma’s private reaction was less than welcoming - her words were ‘fire and ice’.”

“Yikes!”

“Yes - I suspect it wasn’t pretty. Fortunately, Charisma was smart enough to keep it private.”

She felt Saphira draw a deep breath and waited, knowing her partner was thinking things through. When she didn’t speak immediately, Esmeralda tilted her head up to peer at Saphira in the gloom of near darkness, knowing her partner would understand the action from the movement.

“Okay… so, Charisma went to work, heard the announcement and disappeared for the rest of the day?”

“Essentially. Opal said she came in like usual, though she seemed preoccupied. After the announcement was made, Charisma had Opal cancel her appointments for the day and call for her car. Opal called Turq for the car and then called Amber to bring her up to speed on things.”

“Why not you? This is your operation, after all.”

Esmeralda smirked, knowing that even if the expression couldn’t be seen on her face, the infliction would be clearly heard in her voice. “And they have strict orders from you and Amber not to disturb me if it isn’t an emergency on threat of horrific bodily harm. They take that seriously.” She felt Saphira duck her head in acknowledgement and cupped her cheek gently before brushing their lips together.

“How long? How long have you known?”

“Why do you think Amber is my second on this mission, love?” feeling the cheek beneath her hand crease into a smile. “I know as well as they do that I am not completely up to par yet and I appreciate everyone looking out for me. I know Amber would have called if I was needed; but the truth is that right now I am in the best place I can be for both of them and I shouldn’t be seen outside of that capacity.”

Saphira nodded. “So where did she go?”

“The riding stable. Apparently, she and Cleo ran until they were both soaked with sweat. Amber left her when she returned home knowing Ame was there to keep an eye on her. I am assuming she is still there since I haven’t gotten a call from either Ame or Amber indicating anything different. Amber is with her now… not that Charisma is even aware of her presence.”

“I think it might be time for a roundtable.”

Esmeralda sighed and nodded her agreement. “I think you may be right. I’ll contact those who aren’t on the clock right now. Good thing we share a building, huh? Those that are sleeping will only have to come downstairs.”

Saphira rose from the bed, kissing Es firmly before allowing her corporeal form to fall away and her wings to re-emerge. “I’ll send Amber back as soon as I get there.”

“Thank you, Phira. I don’t think it will take long, but I need to know….”

“Shh… I understand, love. I’m the one who suggested it, remember? You need to know so we know what direction we need to head in to get these two back on track.” She spread her wings and faded from mortal sight. “I’ll be back.”

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

“I’m sorry to call everyone here on such short notice, especially those of you are usually sleeping now,” glancing at Turq, Ame and Opal. “Thank you for your quick response. I’d just like a brief recap of today’s events from each of you and your take on them. Let’s start with Ame’s arrival at the house this morning and go through the events as they happened.”

Ame told of her arrival as housekeeper, mentioning that Charisma seemed tired and a little distracted, but otherwise much as she was any other day. Turq made the same observations and then Es turned to Opal.

“It was like watching her freeze over. When she saw the news, she didn’t move… she was barely breathing. She was exceptionally calm about it - she simply returned to her office and closed the door behind her. When she came out, she gave me the orders to call for Turq and cancel her appointments. Then she left.”

“Turq, Amber - did she say anything… call anyone, once she was in the car?”

Turq shook her dark head. “No… neither time, actually. I took her to the stables and waited for her there; Amber kept an eye on her while she was out on Cleo, then I took her home and she dismissed me for the remainder of the day.”

“And she stayed home the rest of the day?”

Ame nodded. “Playing with Adam. As soon as dinner was over, she sent me home. I had to shield myself from her gaze to remain with her until Amber arrived.”

Esmeralda turned to Amber. “And tonight?”

“She was sitting in her office staring at her desk when Saphira arrived. And speaking of… I better get back there so she can get some sleep.”

Esmeralda nodded. “Thanks, Amber… ladies. I appreciate your insights,” folding her hands on the table. The rest took their cue and bid Es a soft goodnight before returning to their own apartments. Esmeralda waited until the door closed behind the last of them before rising and moving back to the bedroom to await Saphira’s return.

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

Charisma sat at her desk, her eyes unseeing in the darkness, though she would have been unable to see Saphira’s silent figure observing her regardless of the light factor in the room. A knock on the door didn’t faze her - it wasn’t until the door opened and a streak of light fell across her desk that she looked up and met Kent’s gaze as he poked his head into the room. She stared at him without blinking and he tilted his head, frowning at her lack of expression.

“Charisma?”

It took a moment, but finally Charisma blinked and focused on Kent. She smiled at him, but it was sad… different from the sadness he was used to seeing. He stepped further into the room, but left the door open to shed some light in the room.

“Charisma? Are you okay?”

She blinked again and nodded slowly. “I’m fine, Kent,” she replied, and after a tiny hesitation, gestured him inside. “What can I do for you?”

He shook his head awkwardly and cleared his throat. “Nothing. I just wanted to remind you I’m leaving for the city in the morning. I have several auditions over the next few days, but I should be back by the end of next week.”

“All right,” she agreed absently, then looked at him fully. “Break a leg, Kent. I hope you get the part you really want.”

“You really do, don’t you?”

Charisma nodded. “I want for you to have what you want in life, Kent. I’d like for you to be happy.”

He paused, not saying what he wanted to, but turning the question around on her instead. “What about you, Charisma?”

“I’m happy, Kent - I’m just tired.” She stepped from behind the desk and headed towards the door, brushing a kiss on his cheek when she passed by him on the way out of the room. He stood still and accepted the rare touch before following her out of the room and closing the door. He never saw the photograph lying in the center of the desk.

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

Esmeralda blinked sleepily when she felt the warm body curl up behind her and Esmeralda turned in Saphira’s arms. “Sorry, I meant to wait up….”

Saphira removed her fingers from Esmeralda’s lips when her words stopped. “It’s all right, love. I expected you to be asleep.”

“So nothing to report?” a sleepy smile in her voice.

“Nothing that won’t wait until tomorrow,” Saphira assured her. “Go back to sleep.”

“Love you,” Es mumbled before sleep overtook her once more. It was a little while longer before Saphira closed her eyes and joined her.

“Uh uh... Ruby’s coverin’,” Esmeralda mumbled, burying her face deeper into Saphira’s belly. Saphira chuckled lightly, causing Es to lean back far enough to glare at her before trying to burrow back into Saphira’s body. Saphira stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. Esmeralda huffed and rolled onto her back so she could look up into Saphira’s blue eyes.

“What do you mean, Ruby’s covering? Since when is Ruby part of this assignment? I thought we had already stretched the numbers too thin with this operation.”

Esmeralda shrugged. “I thought so too, actually, but apparently having to cover two such prominent and active individuals means we get more help.”

“Did you ask for it?”

“No, Phira. He supplied it.”

“Any explanation?”

“Only that He deemed it necessary and timely. Jas’ words were ‘He supplied your need in His time’.”

Saphira only just contained the snort she wanted to release and instead nodded her head solemnly. She knew what Jas had said was true; it was just that her time would have been much sooner than His time... especially considering Esmeralda’s slow recovery and the magnitude of this particular project. “Well, I for one will be glad of the help. Maybe we can all get a little more rest so we don’t mess things up by being careless.”

Esmeralda nodded. “I think that is the idea. Ruby said she’ll be taking the morning shift at the diner, so you’ll only be working one shift from now on.” Es shifted until she was sitting beside Saphira, wrapping her arms around her waist and holding Saphira in a loose embrace. “I can’t tell you how glad I am for that, Phira. I know being here with me like this is part of your restitution and punishment, but I’ve worried about the toll this has taken on you.”

Her touch was gentle, but her eyes were fierce when Saphira tilted Esmeralda’s head up. “Me?? What about you, sweetheart?? I’m not the one who got sick and almost died!!” Esmeralda could hear the near panic in Saphira’s voice and feel the racing of her heart. She put a hand over Saphira’s heart even as she leaned forward and brushed their lips together.

“It’s all right, Phira. I didn’t die and I’m getting better every day... a little stronger every day. Besides, this is my job. I’m a little more used to the aggravations and frustrations that go along with being a clean-up angel.”

“Yeah, but He still shouldn’t have sent you....”

“Don’t question His reason, love,” Esmeralda chided. “I had to be the one to do this... *we* had to be the ones to do this. They need us.” She paused. “Besides, I’m the best at what I do.”

Saphira grinned at Esmeralda’s shy admission and the tiny smile that accompanied it. “Yes,” she admitted. “Yes, you are. And I suppose if they really need us....”

“They do. Trust me on this, Phira. It’ll make a lot more sense when you meet Charisma.”

“Yeah... what about that, by the way?”

“She’s asked – she’s very anxious to meet you. I just need to find a time that works.” She hesitated. “Maybe I’ll see if I can pin her down for some time next week. Since it’s Friday, I doubt she’ll be available for the next few days.”

Saphira nodded. “Let me know. We’ll work something out.” She shifted until she was lying almost flat again. “So who else is here besides Ruby and Jas? And how do the rest feel about doubling up on their living space?”

“Well, to answer your second question first, I don’t think they care – they’re as glad to have the extra help as we are. As for who is here - Jas is gonna be Brianna’s new driver; Jade and Mal are on ‘whatever’ duty until and unless Brianna sets up her own household. We’ll make sure they are placed on her household staff if that happens. Indi will be in the office and Coral will be Amber’s opposite... watching over her at night.”

Saphira nodded. “Maybe this will give everybody a little breathing space, at least for a little while. Until Jade and Mal have something more permanent, they can rotate around and give each of the others a little time off to not be human.” She looked at Esmeralda. “I never understood how wearing that was until I had to do it. How do mortals survive this stuff?” motioning around her.

“His grace,” Es mumbled. “And true grit. He created them to survive, Phira.” She turned into Saphira’s body, cuddling up until she was lying on Saphira’s chest. “I’m just glad we don’t have to get up yet. I hadn’t realized how tired I was until Ruby sent me back to bed.”

“So we’ve got a little more time before we have to go rushing out of the house today?” Saphira asked quietly, her voice dropping into its deepest registers. Esmeralda shivered and tilted her head until her eyes met Saphira’s. She gasped at the naked love and desire shining back at her from glowing blue eyes. Es reached up a hand and tenderly cupped Saphira’s face – it had been an eternity since Saphira had let her see such raw passion in her expression... unwilling to guilt Esmeralda into more than she felt able to give during her recovery. She felt her own eyes start to glow in response.

“Yes,” she replied briefly, letting her hand slide along the smooth skin of Saphira’s face before tangling in her dark hair. Esmeralda felt the wicked smile form, only to find its twin in Saphira’s expression. Without another word, she tugged Saphira’s lips to her own, then there were no more words between them for a very long time.

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

“So what happened last night?” Esmeralda asked when they were once more curled comfortably around one another, blissfully sated. Saphira still had a couple hours before she needed to get ready for work, but there was still angel business to discuss. Saphira stretched and shifted around in the bed until she was laying flat on her back with Esmeralda wiggling into place beside her. “Better?” Es asked, tilting her head just enough to see Saphira’s profile in her peripheral vision. Saphira glanced down at her and nodded.

“Yes, thanks,” she drawled lazily, her rakish grin indicative of the fact that she was referring to more than just their current positions. Es blushed and Saphira’s smile gentled. “I love you, ya know.”

“I know,” Es agreed readily. “It’s very mutual.”

“Lucky for me,” Saphira mumbled. “Don’t know what I’d do without you, sweetheart.” She swallowed hard. “I’d be a lost soul like Charisma.”

“So something *did* happen last night,” Esmeralda stated with conviction. “Tell me,” she commanded.

Saphira kept one arm firmly around Esmeralda’s body, cradling her into her own warmth. The other arm she pulled up and tucked under her head, assuming what Es referred to as her ‘thinking pose’. Saphira worried her lip as she marshaled her thoughts, then let out a deep sigh. “All right. I’ll tell you what happened, but you need to understand that I’m the one who had the epiphany last night.”

“Phira?”

“Hush, love, and let me tell it. Did Amber tell you what went on prior to my arrival?” Es shook her head. Saphira grunted slightly. “Figures.”

“We only got into bare basics last night.”

Saphira nodded. “All right... well, it seems that as soon as dinner was finished in the Tagherty household, Kent went into his study while Charisma put Adam down for the night. Then she went into her study, opened her safe and pulled out a well-loved photo album.”

“*The* photo album?”

“Yes. She removed a single picture from the album and returned the book to the safe.”

“What picture?” Es asked impatiently. Saphira chuckled in silence, only to let out a whoosh of air when Esmeralda smacked her on the belly before soothing the self-same spot. Saphira glared at her momentarily before relaxing into the soft touch.

“My word, you’re an impatient little thing,” Saphira teased after a moment. It was Esmeralda’s turn to glare and Saphira squeezed her lightly in an effort to placate her. “I must have arrived not long after, because that was all Amber shared with me before she took off to head back here.”

“Did you get a chance to look at the picture?” Es asked again, impatience tingeing her voice though Saphira felt her effort to control it. She nodded.

“I did.” She paused and Es lifted her head, realizing immediately that Saphira was lost in her thoughts and not simply trying to tease her by drawing things out.

“Phira?”

Saphira blinked and shook her head. “Sorry. I was just....”

“...thinking,” Es said with her. “I know. Share?”

“I will – it’s part of this story actually. The picture Charisma had pulled from the album was one of her and Brianna. It was night and they were standing in front of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.”

“Were their arms around each other?” Es asked knowingly. “Looking at the camera and grinning?”

“No,” Saphira said, bringing Esmeralda’s head up in surprise. “I don’t think they were even aware of the camera at all.” She bit her lip and Esmeralda waited silently. “Their foreheads were leaned together and their eyes were closed... or focused on their hands. It was hard to tell from my angle,” Saphira added with a shrug. “I was afraid to get too close; I think Charisma could sense me.”

Esmeralda frowned. “Really? That’s....”

“I know. It was unnerving for me as well. That’s never happened before.”

“Why did you think she could?” Not doubting her mate’s words, but Esmeralda was curious as to what had led Saphira to that conclusion.

“Maybe she’s of gypsy descent; all I know is when I got close enough to see the photograph, her head came up and she looked around the room as though searching for something... or someone.”

Esmeralda blinked. “That’s odd. She’s never given me any indication that she senses me as anything other than mortal.”

“Because you’ve never been anything other than mortal around her, Es. You’ve never been near her as an angel.”

Esmeralda nodded. “This is true. I wonder if it’s happened to Amber.”

“I dunno – she hasn’t said anything to me, but it’s not like I’ve seen her except in passing.”

“Well, she hasn’t said anything to me either, but I’m certainly going ask when I see her next.”

Saphira glanced at the clock. “That should be fairly soon. She’s probably out there drumming her fingers on the table waiting for you to get up.” She made a face. “She’s probably waiting for you to fix lunch.” Saphira flinched when Esmeralda pinched her. “OW! What’d you do that for?”

“She could be cooking for us, you know.”

Saphira shuddered visibly. “I hope not. I’ve seen what happens to people that eat her cooking... angel status not withstanding.”

Esmeralda couldn’t stop the laughter that howled from between her lips and Saphira grinned broadly, pleased with herself immeasurably. After a moment, Es straightened and drew a deep breath, shaking her head to compose her expression. “Thank you, love. I know we’re pretty far afield of our original discussion, but I needed that. I needed this,” motioning between them.

Saphira brushed a kiss over the top of Esmeralda’s head. “So did I.”

“So back to the picture.... How could they not have been aware of it? Someone had to have taken it, which means they had to have asked someone... given someone their cameras to take it.”

“Doesn’t mean they were aware that picture was being taken until after it was on film.”

“True. Wonder if Brianna has a copy of it,” Saphira mused.

“Maybe, but I’d be willing to guess she doesn’t – it’s not anywhere in her office anyway. The one of them at Trevi has the two of them facing the camera and grinning like crazy; it’s on her desk facing her. She’s the only one that can see it.” Es shifted. “So tell me more about Charisma’s reaction.”

“It was... sad.” Saphira paused thoughtfully. “Poignant. She sat staring at it for a long time – just looking; I’m almost positive there were tears in her eyes. Just before Kent knocked on the door, she trailed her fingers over it, though I’m not sure if she was just touching it as she remembered or if it was something more.”

“So she knows.”

Saphira nodded. “I’d say yes.”

Esmeralda blew out a breath. “That could go either way.”

“As to?”

“If Charisma knows how Brianna feels and she’s at least acknowledged her own feelings to herself, then this will likely play out one of two ways. Either she will be hurt, but will need to forgive Brianna for leaving or she will be angry and will struggle to keep their interactions strictly profession and to a minimum.”

“That’s it?”

“Those are the typical human reactions to this sort of situations. But that is assuming she is aware of both her feelings and Brianna’s.”

“And if she isn’t?”

“If she isn’t aware of Brianna’s feelings, she will be hurt. If she hasn’t acknowledged her own feelings, she will be angry.”

Saphira covered her face with her arm. “This is giving me a headache.”

Esmeralda smiled sympathetically. “Those are just the basic hypotheticals. The fact is we don’t have quite enough of the pieces in our hands yet to have a good idea of what’s coming down the pipeline yet. Once I get a good feel for where Charisma is about all this, we’ll have a better idea.”

“Are you *certain* we can’t just smack them around a little and make them resolve this now?” Esmeralda shifted and sat up, making a move to get out of the bed. She slid into her robe, only to feel Saphira’s arms wrap around her. “Where you going?” Saphira mumbled into her shoulder.

“Yes, I’m certain,” Es answered, patting the arms slowly rocking her side to side. “And I’m going to get a shower. Would you like to join me?”

Saphira was out of the bed so quickly, Esmeralda was nearly catapulted from the bed. She narrowed her eyes at Saphira who gave her a sheepish smile in return.

“Sorry.”

Es held her gaze for another moment before she relented. “C’mon. We still need to eat before we go to work.” Then they crossed into the bathroom and closed the door solidly behind them.

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

Amber was sitting at the table eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when they exited their room, both dried and dressed and ready for work. She looked up and gave them the stink eye before turning her attention back to the newspaper she was reading without a word.

“What are you still doing up?” Esmeralda asked, glancing at the clock before pulling out a skillet. Saphira joined her and they rustled through the fridge together, pulling out ingredients for their lunch. They put things on the counter, then turned back to Amber, realizing she hadn’t answered Esmeralda’s question. Saphira cocked an eyebrow at her.

“Problem?”

Amber turned and looked at Esmeralda. “Are you all right?”

Esmeralda frowned. “Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

Amber took a deep breath. “No reason, I guess. I was just worried when I saw so many newbies headed out of here when I got in this morning... especially when I was told you were off limits. Ruby said you needed the rest.”

“I did; I haven’t felt this good in a long time, Amber.”

Amber smirked. “I’ll bet,” watching the blood flush Esmeralda’s face. “Don’t mind your old sis, Es. It’s just become natural to worry about you, and I’m tired after last night.”

Saphira pushed off the counter and turned to grab three plates as Esmeralda removed the skillet from the heat. She set one in front of Amber, then placed the other two on the table for herself and Es. “Something happened?”

“Grab a seat,” Amber instructed. “I’ll bring you up to date.”

“She wasn’t?”

Amber shook her head. “No... not at first, anyway. She was curled around her pillow, eyes closed. Only when I got closer did I see the tears rolling silently down her cheeks.”

“Did she sense you?” Saphira asked. Amber blinked at her.

“Excuse me?”

“Charisma... did she sense you?” Amber frowned.

“No... why would she?” Her golden eyes widened. “Wait... you’re saying she could sense you?” Saphira nodded. Amber turned to Esmeralda. “Has she ever...?”

“No, but as Saphira pointed out to me, I have only been a human mortal around her. I’ve never observed her as an angel.”

“Weird.” Amber bit her lip thoughtfully. “Maybe it has to do with our classifications?” watching as Saphira’s and Esmeralda’s brows rose in tandem. “Well, think about it – I’m a guide guardian... I’m not supposed to be noticed as more than a feeling or an influence. You’re a clean-up guardian, Es – your job requires you to be human... no interaction as an angel while you’re on a job. But Saphira’s an Angel of Retribution – she’s supposed to make an impact as an angel. If Charisma is sensitive at all, she might be able to feel the strength of that impression.”

Esmeralda and Saphira exchanged brief stares. “Well, that would explain a lot.” They turned back to Amber. “So what else happened?”

Amber sighed. “Her breathing changed, so I know she fell asleep, but the tears didn’t stop. After a bit she seemed to fall into a dream... or a nightmare; it’s hard to say without knowing any details. I do know she shot up out of bed gasping for breath.” The three swapped looks, knowing full well that could indicate any number of things. “Then she got up and went back downstairs to her study. She stayed there the rest of the night – caught between pacing the length of the room and studying the pictures on her desk.”

“Pictures? Plural?”

Amber nodded. “Yes. She recovered the album from her safe and went through them slowly... one at a time.”

“Did you get an opportunity to see them?”

“Yes. And I don’t believe she doesn’t know. It was there in every single photograph.”

Esmeralda blew out a breath. “Today should be interesting.”

“I know Turq and Opal weren’t looking forward to it. Ame apparently warned them Charisma was being a bitch on wheels.” Amber nodded at Es’ raised eyebrows. “She was – yelling, impatient, frustrated... if I hadn’t known better I’d have thought she was upset because Kent was leaving.”

“Are you sure she wasn’t?”

The look Amber gave Saphira could have cut diamonds. “I’m sure. For the most part, she completely ignored him, except to wish him well and say goodbye. If she was upset with him, she wouldn’t have bothered to speak to him at all – or she would have focused her anger in his direction.” She shook her head. “It’s hard to explain if you haven’t guided humans as long as I have; you kind of get to know how your charges think after a while. And while all humans are individuals and I will never claim to understand them, they still have a lot of traits in common with us. So it makes it a little easier to relate to their actions as well as their reactions.”

Esmeralda chanced a look at the clock. “You should get some sleep, Amber. If today is as much fun as I expect it to be, your night will probably be another long one.”

Amber blew out a breath and nodded her head wearily. “Probably.” She rose and took her plate to the sink. “I’m glad you’re feeling better, Little One,” leaning down and brushing a kiss over Esmeralda’s forehead. “Leave the dishes. I’ll do them when I get up. Goodnight, guys.”

“Goodnight, Amber,” they replied together, watching her disappear into her room. Then they turned to one another. Saphira took her plate and Esmeralda’s to the sink and extended her hand.

“C’mon, Angel mine. We’ve got to get to work.”

“And you still have to share your epiphany with me.”

Saphira nodded. It was time.

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

“The picture that had Charisma so mesmerized last night – the one of her and Brianna,” waiting for Es to nod her head before continuing. “It brought home so many truths to me. I know I told you that even He couldn’t have kept us apart... and I meant that, Es. I meant that with my whole heart, even before....” She blew out a breath and clasped Esmeralda’s hand tighter in her own. “I saw what this separation has done to Charisma to the smallest extent and it’s by her choice! I can’t fathom... I won’t let that happen to us, Es. I can’t. I wouldn’t survive it!”

Esmeralda pulled them to a stop, heedless of the odd looks and stares they garnered. She brought her free hand to cup Saphira’s face, gratified when she immediately leaned into the touch. “Neither would I, love. And He knows that.”

“Why would she choose this, Es? Why would she deliberately turn her back on happiness?”

“I can’t answer that, Phira – not yet. I’m not sure she remembers what happiness feels like any more. She’s content in her life... or she was until yesterday.”

Saphira shook her head. “This is my stop. I’ll see you tonight?”

Esmeralda grinned. “Don’t you always? Have a good day.”

“You too, Sweetheart. Love you.”

“Love you more,” Es quipped just as the Metro door closed between them. She laughed at the face Saphira made at her before the train pulled away headed to its next stop. Then Es took a deep breath to center herself. It was shaping up to be a hell of a day.

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

Esmeralda entered the building and waited her turn to step through the security. When she reached the metal detector, Derek greeted her. “Hey, Es. Glad it’s Friday?”

She gave the security agent a smile. “Always, Derek. Aren’t you?”

He looked around conspiratorially. “Yeah, but especially today. Word has it Tagherty is on the warpath.” Esmeralda’s eyes widened. That’s not good. Derek nodded his head at her unspoken thought. “Just watch yourself, Es.”

She nodded. “You know it. Say hi to Doc Janie for me.”

“You betcha. She expects to see you next week, you know.”

“I know. I’ve got an appointment.”

“Make sure you keep it,” he warned with a smile. “You know we’ll both hear about it if you don’t.”

“Worse,” Es countered with a grin. “She’ll sic Saphira on me.”

“True. Here comes your boss – have a good night.”

“You too,” she replied as she walked away from security to be intercepted by Rick. She noted the frown on his face. “Something wrong, Rick?”

He pinched his lower lip even as he accompanied Esmeralda to the supply closet that held her cleaning cart. He observed her checking everything, making sure she was fully stocked before starting her cleaning rounds. When she realized Rick still hadn’t responded, she faced him, arching an eyebrow and putting her hands on her hips.

“Rick?”

“Senator Tagherty is in quite a mood. Just watch yourself, huh? I’d hate to see anything happen to you.”

Esmeralda nodded. “I will. Who knows... maybe she’ll be gone by the time I get to her office.”

“We’ll hope so. You call me if you have any problems, all right?”

“I will, Rick... thanks.”

Rick gave Esmeralda a nod, then left her to start her rounds. She wondered what Charisma had done to warrant her being warned not once, but twice about her mood. She hoped she’d get a chance to talk to someone on the team assigned to Charisma before she reached the Senator’s office.

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

“Es?” Esmeralda stopped and turned back to Opal, eyes widening at her weary countenance. She hurried back and put a concerned arm around her shoulders, smiling sadly when Opal tucked her head into her neck and sighed in exhaustion.

“You okay, Opal? You look....”

“I am,” Opal nodded and confessed at the same time. “Been a long, LONG day,” she added for emphasis. “I’ve spent the entire day running interference for everyone to ensure that Charisma still has a staff tomorrow.”

“Feel a little black and blue?” Opal nodded, then stiffened when she heard the clearing of a throat behind her.

“Opal, is there a reason you’re standing out in the hall instead of taking care of your work? I’m sure I can find someone who would be thrilled to be promoted to your position if you feel you can no longer handle your responsibilities with timeliness.”

Opal sagged briefly in Esmeralda’s arms at the cutting words and tone before she straightened and put a bit of space between them. “No, Senator Tagherty. I’ll get back to it.” She risked a glance at Esmeralda. “Thank you, Es,” her words pulling a surprised reaction from Charisma. Esmeralda smiled gently.

“Anytime, my friend,” she assured before Opal disappeared back into the office. Charisma remained where she was, her blue eyes studying Esmeralda carefully.

“Is there anyone you can’t make friends with, Esmeralda?” letting her eyes roam around the hall and briefly rest on Brianna’s door before returning to meet Esmeralda’s green ones squarely.

“I’ve found that one can never have too many friends, Senator.”

Charisma’s eyes shuttered and she bit her lip thoughtfully before nodding briskly. “I suppose you’re right. If you’ll excuse me....” her tone almost cold. Charisma winced when she saw the hurt flash across Esmeralda’s face before she could school her expression into a polite mask.

“Of course, Senator Tagherty. I have work that needs tending. Have a good evening, Senator.” Esmeralda gave a respectful nod of her head and moved her cart towards the far end of the hall to begin her cleaning. Charisma chewed on her inner lip a moment longer.

“Esmeralda?” Es turned at the first syllable of her name being called down the hall.

“Yes, Senator?”

“Will you be by later?”

“Of course, Senator – it is part of my responsibility to take care of your office suite.”

Charisma nodded, not sure what to say at this point – anger and hurt warring in her expression. Then without another word, she went back into her office and closed the door. Esmeralda shook her head and got to work.

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

“Senator Walker?” Esmeralda called out as she knocked on the door - just as she always did before entering an office. Then she used her passkey and stuck her head in the door, only to instantly recognize that Brianna’s office was empty of her presence. Es walked further into the room, pushing her cart ahead of her and idly wondering if this was going to be the way of things for the next two years – with the two of them doing everything they could to avoid one another. She blew out a frustrated breath and took a good look around.

Clearly her words from the previous day had made an impact on Brianna; nothing was out of place. All the boxes had been emptied and the things in them put away neatly in their designated spot in the office. The boxes had been flattened and marked for recycling beside a mostly empty trash can. Otherwise, there was little out of place in the room.

Knowing Brianna was more than likely gone for the day, Esmeralda set to work. She still had plenty to do before she could meet Saphira at the diner.

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

Esmeralda knocked lightly on the door of Senator Tagherty’s office, fairly confident Charisma was waiting inside. “Senator Tagherty?” She got no answer, so Es pushed her cart in and stepped into the office behind it. She saw Charisma sitting at her desk in the dark, but ignored her, knowing it was up to Charisma to make the next move. It didn’t take long.

“You know, don’t you?” she asked softly, though her tone was cutting.

Esmeralda, having been engrossed on keeping her attention on her work, started slightly before she looked up at Charisma. A look of confusion crossed her face. “Senator?” watching hurt flash in blue eyes. “Charisma?”

“You know, don’t you?” Charisma repeated, her tone more defeated than angry.

Esmeralda set down the spray bottle she’d been filling and padded to the desk, extending her hand to Charisma. Charisma looked at her in confusion and Esmeralda cocked an eyebrow, then jerked her head towards the couch. Charisma couldn’t help the smile that twitched her lips and she took Esmeralda’s hand with alacrity, allowing the other woman to tug her to her feet and lead her to the sofa. They plopped onto opposite ends of the cushions and Esmeralda reached for the light, only to be stopped by Charisma’s voice.

“Leave it off... please?”

“Do you find the darkness comforting, Charisma?”

“Sometimes it seems like my only friend.”

“Can I help?”

“I don’t think so, Es,” Charisma replied resignedly. “No one can help. I need to work through this on my own.”

“What if I reintroduced you?” Esmeralda offered quietly. “Nothing public, just....”

“NO!” Charisma lashed out. “No!” she said again a little quieter, but no less forcefully. “I will not be subjected to meeting with her outside of an occupational venue! I may be forced to deal with her professionally, but otherwise, I will tolerate no interaction with her! Do you understand me??”

“Charisma....”

“No, Esmeralda! Do. You. Understand. Me?”

Esmeralda rose and nodded her head sadly, her eyes never leaving Charisma’s even in the darkness. “I understand, Charisma, more than you know... even if I don’t understand why.” She moved back over to her cart. “I do know one thing,” she added as she picked up her spray bottle again.

“What’s that, Es?” Charisma asked, her voice tired and defeated.

“You will never find peace or happiness until you settle things with Brianna.”

“Things were settled with Brianna Walker twenty years ago, Esmeralda... when she walked out of my life without even saying goodbye!”

“And you never made an effort to find out why, did you? Doesn’t that make you equally culpable?”

Charisma’s blue eyes hardened and iced over. “Get. Out.”

Esmeralda sucked in a sharp breath, but otherwise gave no outward reaction to the bite in Charisma’s words. Instead, she put her things away without further acknowledgment and headed to the door. She placed a hand on the doorknob, then turned back to Charisma.

“One day – maybe sooner, maybe later – you’re going to have to face one another. Whether that happens publicly or privately is entirely up to the two of you, but it will happen, Charisma. It’s only a matter of when and where.” Esmeralda sighed. “I hope... I had hoped you would let me help be a part of your reconciliation, but you obviously have no intention....” She trailed off and shrugged. “You’ve made it clear it’s not my business. However, Saphira is and she would still like to meet you if you’re still willing. So if you can let me know when would be a good time for you, we’ll arrange something soon.” She held up a hand. “And I promise, no funny business. Goodnight, Senator.”

Esmeralda was out the door with it closed behind her before Charisma had a chance to recover her wits. She blinked and the tears rolled silently down her face. It was a long time before Charisma called for her car to take her home.