Claimers: Me, me, me. I, I, I. Own them.
Title & Lyrics: Tanya Donelly owns the lines. Shucks. *bows down*.
Names: All the names of Amazons are real. We'll as real as a load of names about a race of people who have never truly been acknowledged can be.
 
When I stumble,
It will be under your spell, at your command.
And when I stumble,
It will be into your hand.
 
 
Arminius' POV
 
LaOC XLIII - Someone's Got To Stay And Clean Up This Mess
 
'Quiet, Dominic! I need to think what to do.'
 
She wasn't meant to go off like a Roman Candle until the challenge.
And she certainly wasn't meant to try and kill Elle.
Half-breeds, always unpredictable.
A pure Angel would've been able to take much more.
As Jude's little girlfriend proved.
 
'They won't be able to find out unless one of us breaks.'
 
I pull Dominic closer to me.
 
'Therefore, if we stay quiet we'll be safe. Act normal. Be concerned for Michelle and Elle, and angry at Discord. Ok? I said ok?!'
 
He nods and I finally let him go.
I watch as he scurries out of my office.
 
My weak link.
And a chain is only as strong as that one failing part.
 
Perhaps my work is not entirely complete.
 

Elle's POV

 
 
Back in my office, finally.
I move to close the door, and as I do so, it comes off in my hand, crashing down to the floor.
I killed the door.
Damn it.
 
I click my fingers as I walk back to my couch and the hole closes.
There.
A nice new door, if a little off centre.
I'll have to get someone down here to re-hang it properly.
 
I pick up the envelope I gave to Jude, the one with Aurora's picture in.
Sitting down, I take it out and remember.
The day rolls back into my mind.
The smells, the warmth of the sun, the fun we all had.
How could I have forgotten?
I am a poor excuse for God sometimes.
 
I can't blame Jude for trying to prove her point.
Aurora calmed down that bitchy temperament of hers no end.
Jude was an absolute overflowing handful before they got together.
 
Love.
Sometimes a saviour, other times a curse.
Which one is it for me?
I know I have never felt happier with Dizzy, but...
I remember her face as her hands squeezed around my throat.
The look in her eyes was not one that held love.
It was one that held contempt.
Contempt for me.
 
She almost cost Michelle her life, and nearly made Heaven Godless.
 
Only one way to find out what she was thinking.
I have to go and see her and hope she's calmed down.
 
I put Aurora's picture back in the envelope, and take it with me.
Hopefully I will run into Jude on my way.
 
Walking out into reception, I see Sam at her desk, looking forlorn.
 
'Oh. My. GOD!'
 
Suddenly, I am covered in my PA.
She has a very nice touch.
 
'Sam, let everyone know I'm alive and well. Sam? You can let go of me anytime you want. Anytime, Sam.'
 
Letting go she takes a couple of steps back, looking at me as if I'm not real.
She covers her mouth with a hand, and bursts into tears.
Then hugs me again.
She's a sweetie really.
 
'I'm going to go and call everyone. Right. Now! I'm so glad you're not dead. Your eminence. So glad you're not dead, your eminence. Always forget that bit, don't I? Sorry.'
 
She rushes back to her desk and puts her hands-free on.
Within five seconds she's animatedly talking to someone.
Bless.
 
I'll leave her to it, I think.
 
'Elle!'
 
Covered in Angel again, and... oh, lifted off the floor!
Aren't my girls pleased to see me.
 
'Gabrielle, nice to see you. Don't squeeze me too hard, I might deflate.'
 
With that she kisses me tenderly, then puts me down.
As she steps back, her eyes go wide and her jaw drops.
She looks sweet blushing.
Talented kisser as well.
I'm doing well for those today.
Never got this many when I was single.
 
'I didn't mean to kiss you! I was... happy. That you're alive. I totally forgot who you were! Not who you were, I mean... I'm going back in my office. Really glad you're alive. Sorry about the kiss.'
 
She slaps her forehead and her face looks incredibly pained as she slams her office door.
I can hear her cursing herself, even through the door.
 
I should die more often if I get a welcome back like that.
She must use the same lip balm I do.
Her lips felt lovely.
 
Anyway.
Where was I?
Oh, Dizzy, of course.
 
Not again, please.
David this time.
At least he hasn't kissed me; yet.
 
'You're alive. I thought you were... you know... gone. Dead. Left us. But you're here! I'm going off to cry. I can't look at you and not get all weepy. Sorry.'
 
He starts to walk away, then turns back and kneels at my feet, hugging my legs.
Novel approach.
He gets up, wipes his eyes and rushes off.
 
I think it's going to take me all day to get to the cells.
That's if she's even there.
I assume that's where they've taken her.
After that performance I doubt she'd be in the gym.
 
I take a detour past the infirmary.
 
Who's on duty?
Electra, excellent.
Someone calm and collected who won't get all "woo" with me.
 
'Electra. How's Michelle doing?'
 
She turns round and smiles.
 
'She's fine, better than...'
 
Another, eyes wide, mouth dropped.
She sighs and passes right out.
 
Maybe I should've waited until the announcement went round?
 
Psyche comes out of a room and looks at me, then Electra, then at me again.
 
'Cool. You're alive. Getting worried for a minute. What with you dying and all. Why's Electra asleep on the floor? Carpet grit's responsible for a lot of health problems. She should use a bed like everyone else. I'm going to take her to one of the spare rooms. Nice to see you're back.'
 
Finally, a normal Angel.
She grabs Electra and throws her over a shoulder, walking her into one of the rooms.
 
Amazons.
Wonderful DNA.
And they're always happy to change a lightbulb or carry heavy things.
 
Back to business.
I look at the room list and walk over to Michelle's room.
I don't go in, merely look through the glass window in the door.
Kreousa's asleep in a chair, her head resting on the bed, holding Michelle's hand.
 
That's a weight off my mind.
I would've hated anything to have happened to her.
Even if her and Dizzy did... whatever.
Hmm... I'll talk to her about that when she's feeling better.
 
I get all the way to the cells, without encountering anymore Angels.
Jude?
I bet Dizzy loves being protected by her.
I look at her sitting in a chair and realise she's asleep.
Probably been quite stressful for her, especially after Dizzy beat her up.
I go to sneak past her, but her eyes flick open and she grabs me.
 
'Jude! Hello.'
 
Her hands fly off me as though I was molten.
Then she drops to a knee and bows her head.
 
'I'm sorry, your eminence. I thought it was Kre... someone else. I am so happy you are back. We have all been so worried about you.'
 
'You don't have to kneel. I bought you this. You left it in my office.'
 
I hand her the envelope and her face brightens as she remembers what is in it.
She stands and holds it to her chest, as if it might fly away at any second.
 
'Thank you. I... thank you. Are you here to see Discord? She is awake and calmer. Still, I would prefer you not to go in the cell as I have removed her restraints.'
 
I was going to say that she wouldn't hurt me.
But that phrase has become rather redundant recently.
 
'I'll stay outside. Sit back down and relax.'
 
She nods and I glance back as I walk to the cells.
I see her opening the envelope and pulling the picture out.
Another talk with her is required.
Hopefully we won't have a firebomb of an interruption next time.
Now I understand, I'll get her to take back the challenge.
 
So much to do, so little time.
 
As I near the cell I see the person who is my first priority.
Dizzy.
 
Never before have I felt such conflict inside me regarding a person's fate.
 
Love has become a mixed blessing for me at the moment.
My love, my ideal person, has become someone I can barely recognise.
 
 
 
Or should that be; someone I do not want to recognise?