ＡＮＧＥＬ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ＳＨＯＴＧＵＮ (Locket)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I... have a guardian angel?" Sajay asked, stunned.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Indeed, you do," Ambrose smiled, glancing at her.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Why?" Sajay asked, looking down miserably. "I don't deserve an angel to look over me."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Everyone deserves a guardian angel," Ambrose argued, frowning.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sajay shook her head in protest. She was honored, really, but she truthfully believed she didn't deserve it. "Just go," she said quietly. "You deserve someone better to guard than a murderer."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Ambrose slowed down so that he was walking beside her. The angel chuckled lightly, his image flickering with his laughter, "It's a little more complicated than that, hon. I can't just go- I'm bound to you."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sajay squeezed her eyes shut, holding back her tears. "I don't understand," she whispered. "How can you even help me? I can't be... fixed."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

He reached over at patted her shoulder, "You don't know that for certain," he told her softly, "Everyone deserves a chance."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sajay let out a sob and then stepped into him, pressing her face against his chest. "I kill them. I've killed before." Normally she kept it together pretty well, but just after killing she was vulnerable. She was sick and tired of having to keep it all locked inside.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Ambrose made a small noise of sympathy as his arms encircled her waist gently, "I know, Sajay," he whispered, "It's alright now." The angel seemed to radiate a comforting warmth as he held her, one hand reaching up and stroking her hair.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sajay breathed deeply and just felt the warmth of him for a long time. Eventually, her tears subsided, but she still didn't let go of him. She was surprised at how solid and warm and real he felt. He felt good. When was the last time she'd had contact like this?

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"I'm here to protect you," the angel promised her, his voice a gentle coo, "Even if that means protecting you from yourself."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"How do you plan to do that?" Sajay asked quietly. "I could be dangerous, even to you."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Ambrose smiled, "Don't you worry about that. I am stronger than I look."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sajay looked up at him. Well, really, she looked up at his chin, since she couldn't see the rest of her face from where she was. "You look pretty strong," she muttered.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Well, that's good," Ambrose chuckled, "An angel needs to be strong."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Are all angels like you?" Sajay asked. "Strong and intimidating and..." her voice trailed off. She'd been about to say 'handsome.'

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"More or less," he replied, shrugging, "Why?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Just wondering," Sajay murmured. She seemed to realize she was standing in some strange man's arms--guardian angel or not--and a blush rose to her cheeks. She disengaged herself from his arms and took a step back.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Ambrose remained unaware of the strangeness of the situation. He flashed her another 100-watt smile, "There we go- feeling better?"