Thanks to WynterSnow and Onlyaman who have been wonderful about reviewing my work. Makes me happy to see that there are at least some TBAA fan fiction readers out there who aren't just in it for the (yuck) angel romances.

Part 9

Outside in the hallway, Bryan was coming out of the elevator. He carried a worried look on his face when he ran into Monica in the hallway. "Monica?"

"Hi Bryan," she said cheerfully.

"Thank you so much for calling me," he said softly when he saw her. "Do you know where's my sister is?"

"Yes, she's in room 410, just go down the hall," As he walked towards the room, he could see Steve coming out. "What are you doing here?"

"I just came by to see how she was doing," Steve offered.

Bryan looked at him. "My mother told me what you did to her. How could you? I trusted you to protect her when I wasn't here. She's my baby sister, and you were my best friend."

"Please, Bryan, you don't understand," Steve pleaded.

"What's there to understand? There's no excuse for hurting my sister," he said softly.

"Bryan, calm down honey," a soothing voice could be heard behind him and he turned and was facing Tess.

Steve sighed deeply, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for what I did, Bryan. I just couldn't forget my mother."

"Your mother? What does she have to do with what you did to Christina?" Bryan asked. He looked at Tess, and could feel her comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Do you remember the events right after your accident five years ago, Bryan?" Tess asked gently.

"Yes, my sister woke me up," he said.

"That's right, and her friend Andrew was with her through the entire situation. You remember Adam don't you?" Tess asked.

"How could I forget him? He was by my side the whole time," he looked at Steve. "He's an Angel of Death, but he comforted me, and told me that I had to fight to stay alive. I didn't feel so afraid as long as I knew that Adam was there to help me. He was very nice, and though I haven't spoken of him since then, I remember him every day. When I pray, I always try to remember to send him my love and I hope that one day I'll see him again."

Tess nodded. "You realize, Bryan, that Christina's friend, Andrew, is also an Angel of Death, as well and he took Steve's mother Home. You may not remember what happened right before you woke up from your coma, but Christina said that there were four angels in that room."

"Yeah, and after I woke up, they were gone," he looked at Tess. "No one would have known that, so that must mean that you're an angel too, then?"

"That's right, Bryan," she said gently as a soft glow of light began to illuminate her.

He looked at Steve and shook his head. "I'm sorry about your mom, Steve, but it doesn't change the fact that you screwed up big time. My sister is lying in a hospital bed, and you're the one responsible for it. What were you thinking?"

"I wasn't, I'm sorry Bryan," Steve said softly.

"What did Christina say to you?" Bryan asked.

"She told me that she can forgive me, but she doesn't want to see me again," Steve said.

"Can you blame her for that?" Bryan asked softly. "My sister has made the decision for all of us Steve, we don't want to see you again. Please go."

"I don't blame you for this," Steve said and walked towards the elevators. As he did Bryan turned towards Tess.

"Maybe I shouldn't have been so hard on him," Bryan said.

"That wasn't hard, honey, he needed to hear it and realize that things would change since he hurt Christina," Tess said gently. "It would have been hard for you to look at him as your friend and not see the pain he subjected your little sister to."

"Yeah, but he did lose his mother," Bryan mused.

"Yes he did, but Bryan, one cannot use their past to dismiss what they do in the present. You can forgive, but sometimes you cannot forget." She smiled as she put her arm comfortingly around his shoulders.

"What's your name?" Bryan finally asked her.

"Tess," she replied.

"Thank you, Tess," he said softly as she led him towards the door of his sister's room.

"Bryan. What are you doing here?" she asked, but it was apparent that she was glad her brother had come back.

"Monica called me about a week ago when I was out at the base, and I flew out last night. Mom and Dad told me about what happened when I got in," Bryan said gently. "I'm sorry Chrissie, I should have known."

She smiled weakly. "It's OK, Bryan. I mean how could any of us have known? What are you going to do?"

"Nothing, you've already taken care of it. I think the sentence was rather light, but you made the decision." he said.

"Christina is a very courageous young woman," Andrew said gently.

She blushed slightly and smiled weakly.

Bryan looked up and saw Andrew for the first time since coming inside. "Thank you, Andrew, for everything you've done for all of us, specifically looking out for Christina. My parents told me what you and your friends did for her, and we're all so grateful to you." Bryan walked over to Andrew and gave him a hug.

"I'm glad I could help," Andrew said gently as Monica and Tess came inside.

"Tess, I didn't drink anymore than ½ a cup of coffee in the cafeteria," Monica was insisting as they came in. "You can ask Donna, I pushed the cup away and said it tasted like mud."

"Uh, Tess, I did try it, and she's right, that stuff is muddier than what they have outside in the ditches," Bryan said smirking.

Monica gave him a grateful smile.

"OK, OK, you win Miss Wings," Tess relented. "Besides, you've earned it."

Moments later, Daniel and Donna entered the room. "Good morning, sweetheart," Donna said, relief evident in her face when she saw her daughter.

"Hi Mom, Dad," Christina said smiling.

Both of her parents wrapped her in their arms and when the hug loosened Donna looked at Monica. "Can't handle hospital coffee huh?"

"Not hardly," Monica said.

"Yeah, awful stuff," Daniel agreed, "that's why I asked for a cup of hot water and a tea bag. Can't go wrong there."

They all laughed. "I heard that Steve was here," Donna finally said.

"Yeah, but he's gone now," Bryan said simply.

"I guess there's nothing more to be said in that regard," Daniel said. "I sure felt sorry for that boy."

"Pity is no reason to be someone's friend," Christina said softly. "A friendship is a gift from God, and we have already been blessed beyond anyone's recognition." She looked at Andrew and then to Monica and Tess. "I know it is time for you to go, but I want you to know that I love you so much."

Andrew said nothing; he simply smiled down at her, and hugged her.

When their hug ended, Monica and Tess gave her a hug as well. "You take care of yourself, baby. You've got a one of a kind family."

"Tess, could you tell Adam that I'm thinking of him when you see him again?" Bryan asked. "I won't allow myself to forget what happened."

"I'll tell him, Bryan" Andrew said with a smile.

As the three angels faded, Christina could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Hey Sis, don't cry. You'll see them again; I think we will all see them again. You know how Andrew always comes to you when things get difficult? I mean like the other night when you were alone out there?"

"Yeah?" she whispered.

"Well, there you have it," Bryan said. "God probably understands that."

"Yeah, but he's an Angel of Death?" Christina said softly.

"All that aside, he's also your friend, and he did save your life," Bryan said gently. "Adam told me that he's not supposed to change what happens down here, but when Andrew brought you to the hospital, he put his friendship to you above his job. He values you as much as you do him. He'll be there for you again, don't ever stop believing that," he paused smiling at his sister. "Besides, you have to give me at least a little credit for knowing something about this stuff. Just remember, the next time you decide to talk about angels, we can probably compare notes."

Christina smiled as her brother sat down next to her. "Are you sad about what happened with Steve?"

"A little, but I'm sadder about what happened to you," Bryan said. "You're right, a friendship is not based on pity; it's based on things that are of much more significance."

"What's that?" Donna and Daniel asked almost at the same time.

"Loyalty, understanding, and unconditional love," Bryan said softly.

"But he was your best friend," Christina objected.

"Yes, he was, but now you are my best friend," Bryan said and hugged his sister.

Christina looked skyward. "Thank you for blessing my life with friends," she whispered as she held tightly to her brother.

The End