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Yes, I was utterly confused.

No I didn't know what to do. 

Gabriel was staring directly at me and the shock was evident. Hell, I was shocked. This wasn't possible. I was dreaming wasn't I? Wait... 

Was I even asleep?

Not sleeping for so long and having to concentrate so hard to try and find Gabriel must have somehow... I don't know mixed? Merged?

Was sleeping the key to finding Gabriel all this time? And I was stupid enough to not do it.

Gabriel stood slowly still staring at me. 

I held my hands to my mouth to hold back a sob. He looked... Battered. Bruised. His loose t-shirt was ripped at the breast bone where a jagged line resided. A scar on his stubble jaw, a scar across his eyebrow. 

He looked older somehow. After my decision he should have stopped ageing because he was no longer bound to me. He looked bigger in the sense of his muscles. His blue eyes were completely blank. He didn't even look hopeful as he stared at me, just shocked.

He turned away from me and sat down on a long bench inside this... What is this? A cave? A cell? 

He suddenly laughed humourlessly. "Hallucinating again." He mumbled to himself.

He didn't think I was here. But I was. Why couldn't I bring myself to speak? 

He ran a hand through his mane of dark hair.

I forced the lump out of my throat and stepped forward. "Gabriel..."

His eyes closed and a light nostalgic smile lit his face for a brief moment. He still didn't believe I was here. I knew I couldn't touch him. I was only a projection after all.

I walked to where he was sitting but he still didn't look at me. I kneeled in front of him. "Look at me please."

The tears free fell as he finally looked me in the eye. Still no hope.

"I'm here." I croaked. "Please believe me."

"No, you're not." He sighed defeated. It surprised me how easily he dismissed the idea. "If you were here you'd help me."

All of those times I heard him say help me... He really was saying it.

"I am here and I'm going to help you. I've finally contacted you, Gabriel. I've been trying so hard to get through to you and now I have. Please look at me."

Finally he looked me in the eye. He searched them for what seemed like an eternity. And he must have seen something he liked because his entire posture swapped from defeated to tense. "It's not possible."

"It is. How else would I be here? How else would I be staring at you?" I lifted my hand tentatively and tried to touch his cheek. Although I was a projection, - what else could I be? - I felt his warmth. It was almost like touching a warm pillow, I couldn't feel skin but... I felt something. 

And he felt it too.

"My god." He whispered, his eyes glazing over. "Alexis? How are-"

I sniffed and wiped my eyes. "I don't know how long I have but I'm coming for you."

His eyes widened. "You-"

"I'm so close. Believe me I am."

"But you-"

"What?"

"You can't come here."

I reared back and stood up. "What do you mean?"

He followed. "They're looking for you. I heard them."

"They won't be looking long because I'll be here in less than two days."

"Hey!" A voice yelled from afar.

Gabriel's eyes sparkled with fear as he looked through the window of a wooden door. "You need to go."

"What have they done to you?"

A grim humourless smile curved his lips. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Now go."

"But..." I didn't want to go. The tears were flowing at full force now. My body shaking with unshed sobs. "I love-"

"Save it for when we see each other if you're really not going to listen to me and come here."

"I'm saying it. I love you, okay?"

He chuckled, a sound I'd missed dearly. "You never did listen."

And just like that I was back.

Back to reality.

And Cameron had me cradled in his lap rocking me back and forth holding my arms down. 

"What are you doing?" I asked and I realised my cheeks were soaking wet and my nose was dripping. Ew. "Why is my nose-" Then I looked down at my lap and noticed a bloodied towel. "Am I-?"

"You were having," Cameron's voice was shaking. I looked up into his face and he looked frantic, almost frightened. "Having some sort of seizure. Bleeding... Everywhere."

"You've been in this state for almost an hour." 

I spun my head around and frowned at Bonnie, Kim, Jack and even Blaine. 

"State?" I asked cautiously, grabbing the bloodied towel to wipe my nose.

"You've been unconscious, your eyes were rolled to the back of your head, your lips were moving but nothing was coming out, you looked possessed." Even as Jackson said it, he looked as frightened as ever. 

"What happened?" Bonnie asked quietly.

"I contacted Gabriel." I said underneath the towel. It was then I realised my head was hurting a lot. "Finally."

Realisation dawned on all of them and they leaned in further. 

"How?" Bonnie asked more surprised than anything. 

"I don't know... It just happened. He's not doing too well. He told me not to go there. But... I saw him."

Cam's hands loosened on my arms and I glanced at his defeated face. Defeated, why? I wasn't sure.

"Are you okay?" Bonnie stood and sat next to me.

"Never better." I groaned at the slicing pain in my head. 

I told them everything and after ten minutes my body started to weaken. I was tired. I could sleep now that I knew I could. But what if I was transported again? I couldn't take it.

Everyone left the room except for Cam. "You feel okay?"

"Oh I feel great." I muttered sarcastically. "I'm really tired though."

"You lost a lot of blood." He muttered staring at my nose. "I felt so helpless."

"Oh, Cameron," I took his hand. "I'm way tougher than that. Think about it, I can't die from an aneurism can I?"

He shook his head pouted.

"Oh, stop acting like a child. I'm going to get some sleep. Will you stay with me or will you leave?"

"I'll stay."

"Good."

Cameron tucked me under his shoulder with a brief sigh and slowly started to sleep. Of course, I didn't sleep at all. I wanted to, I was absolutely tired but what if I were to see Gabriel again? I wanted to see his face again but I didn't think my body could take it. 

But I drifted off. I wasn't transported, thank god. And when I woke up, I wasn't alone. Cameron had me wrapped around him, his body hugging mine as if protecting me.

Bonnie was staring out of the bright window, combing her hair and changed from her bed clothes. She was wearing the white cotton long skirt and cropped silky t-shirts they provided in each suite.

I watched her mindlessly comb her hair and listened to her thoughts, her thoughts of Jayden. 

It was weird, having it only been almost two weeks since coming here and yet Bonnie was holding up without him. Of course, in her mind she thought about him non-stop. She reminisced on her memories with him and reassured herself that she'd be going home. A shadow of doubt lingered in the back of her mind and suddenly her lip quivered and her hands paused its grooming. 

I frowned. She was worried about not returning.

"Bonnie," I whispered. Her lip stopped quivering and she resumed combing her hair. "Bonnie, we will get back I promise."

"You can't promise that and we both know it. Months have passed on Earth. I can still feel his heart beat so I know nothing is wrong with him. But what if he is injured?"

"You know for a fact his heart is still beating and so do I. So I'm sure you'd know if he was hurt." I whispered not wanting to wake Cameron.

"But..."

"You're missing him, I understand that." I muttered removing myself from Cameron to walk to her. "I truly do."

"I know. How are you feeling anyway? Is your head better? Your wounds?"

I shrugged. "Meh, I'm better than I thought I'd be. Especially after finally seeing him."

"I'm sure surprised you're taking it so well."

"So am I if I'm honest."

"Cam's been very helpful wouldn't you say." 

Something about the way Bonnie put that had me frowning. I glanced at him briefly and lowered my voice. "What?"

"Don't you think it's odd?"

"Of course I do. But Cameron has always been my friend and last night I thought about how he agreed to help me."

"Maybe he agreed so he could get closer to you."

"Well, he succeeded. I haven't felt this close to him in years."

Bonnie rolled her eyes at me. "Careful."

"I am." I scoffed. "We have an objective here which I plan on sticking to. What time is it anyhow?"

After a long pause, she finally shrugged. "You've been out for almost five hours but it was early when we left your room. Everyone is out already; I said I wanted to wait for you. Gosh, I can't get used to that hair."

"I'm a great blonde aren't I?" I said with a sarcastic smile.

"I prefer your dark hair." She laughed. "It reflects your personality better."

"Rude."

**

'Everyone's staring...' Blaine thought running her hand through her newly dyed blonde hair. 'Is it because of me or you?'

"It's me, don't worry." I said to her.

"The only reason they're staring is because of her wounds. You're practically hobbling, Lonny straighten up."

I honestly couldn't. My ribs were killing me this morning and my arm was throbbing like crazy. Earlier, Jack had managed to get us all our dresses, suits and masks for tomorrow. That's right, masks. It was a masked ball how creative. Cassiel has yet to one up himself from a ball yet. 

"It hurts." I mumbled gripping onto Bonnie's hand. "I can't help it if I'm limping or hobbling as you so boldly put it."

"Excuse me miss," Someone passed me quickly, skimming their hand across my elbow. 

I immediately grabbed the young boy with my free hand and spun him around.

"Lon, what're you-" Kim started but stopped when I interrupted.

"Young man," I smiled. "Where are you going?"

His bright blue eyes panicked for a moment and he stuttered over his words.

"I thought so. Please forget you touched me." I persuaded easily and immediately his mind went blank as I pushed him away. I turned to the group and said, "He's lurking."

"Ah." Jack agreed nodding. "He's gaining information about us to report back to the Stronghold. I forgot about snitches."

"Be careful." I warned. "Nobody knows why we're here and it seems that boy isn't the only one hoping to cop a feel."

Kim giggled at my choice of words. "Boys, why don't you go off and do what you boys do while we wander the streets for a while. If things don't go well tomorrow, we need a plan to get back to the city."

Cam didn't look too pleased about that plan but he nodded and followed Jack back the way we came. 

"Imagine," Kim said as we settled into a quiet cafe. "We get through tomorrow. Then what? Do we even have a plan?"

"I do." I mumbled quietly. "Find Gabriel and beg the Elders to do his trial."

"How will you do that?"

"I don't know."

"And if they don't?"

"I take his place until they can do his trial."

All of them stared at me wide eyed as if I just uttered blasphemy. As if I could utter blasphemy here of all places.

"You can't-"

"What's love without a little war right?" I muttered taking a sip of water. I hadn't thought about the decision properly. Hell, it only hit me after I saw Gabriel in my dream but what else could I do? I couldn't let him stay there be was suffering and he was hurting. What they were doing to him, I was unsure but when I swapped places with him, if I do, I'll find out.

"Why bare such a mark?" Blaine blurted out surprising us all. "Why go through this, this horrible war just for the one you love?"

"Why not?" I mumbled just as Bonnie said, "I would." And Kim said, "I'd die for him."

Blaine glanced at all three of us with a sigh.

"Blaine, when you love someone you'll know that they are the one that you'll risk your life for. You're only young you won't understand-"

"I do." She whispered. "I understand love. I love Franklin, not in the way you love Gabriel and how you with Jack and you and your human. But I'd risk my life for Franklin."

I couldn't help but smile at the girl. She was in a sense only a teenager. But she was still too innocent to know what these emotions were. "Are you sure you don't love him?"

The uncertainty in her eyes said it all and Kim giggled.

"I don't-"

"You don't have to talk about it honey," Kimberly winked. "I hope Franklin is a good guy."

Blaine told us about Franklin and how they found each other. The man saw wandering through the streets causing trouble and saved her. He gave her temporary homes as they moved on from place to place, protected her during my decision and chose to stay away from earth. Franklin was a good looking man from the images I saw in her head. Very tall, very muscled he had a moustache and a tiny trace of a beard more like stubble. He just screamed dangerous but the memories she saw of him seemed to say different.

After the cafe, we wandered around keeping our eyes on the lurking angels giving us the odd eye. Some tried to approach but failed when we scurried off to the next area. This section of islands was huge but the Stronghold was the biggest taking up a whole island to itself. Blaine frowned whilst Bonnie and Kim glared at it wickedly. They were thinking about all of the ground we had to cover tomorrow night and damn were they right. We had so much to do tomorrow and so many guards to get through without being too suspicious. But think, this is a stepping stone. Soon I'll be with Gabriel or even close enough to touch him, hold him... kiss him—

"Ready?"

"Huh?"

Bonnie patted my hand. "To go back? You look like you're about to collapse, did you not sleep long?"

"No," I sighed.

"Come on." Bon grinned.

**

It was odd. Lying here, thinking about how I saw Gabriel. Scratch that, it was odd sitting here staring at him whilst he stared back. As soon as I got back I asked everyone to go back out, enjoy the day, scope out the rest of the islands. I'd fallen straight to sleep and was immediately transported to his cell or whatever he was in. I knew I was drained from the first time but I needed to see him again.

We were sat cross legged in front of each other not daring to speak in case they heard him. So we used our minds.

'Why are you staring?' He asked me.

'Because I can't shake this. Seeing you so close...'

Gabriel smiled and my heart jumped into my throat. I'd been here for almost ten minutes now and I've probably cried twice already because I couldn't touch him and his smile was so beautiful.

'Stop crying Alex.' He grinned wider.

I buried my face within my hands and sniffed. 'I can't... I can't-'

'I know it's been a long time.'

I lifted my eyes to glare at him for a moment.

'I feel like it's been an eternity.' He frowned. 'You don't understand how much I've missed you.'

I started crying more.

'Oh, Alex...' I saw his hand twitch but he sighed. We couldn't touch and it was killing me. It still hurt just to stare at him.

'No one has called me Alex in a long time.'

'Doesn't anyone call you Alexis anymore?'

'Not really, no. I've been a bit distant from that name.'

The look on his beautiful face had me worried. I knew what he was thinking but it still felt like I didn't. 'You look and feel different.'

I frowned. 'Feel?'

'You're stronger, but you feel distant from your emotions. Is this your first time crying in a long time?'

'I'd say this is the first time I've cried this much-' A sharp pain in the back of my head had me blinking. His face blurred for a moment and I started to panic. 'Gabriel, I think I'm going...'

A sad smile lit his face and he sighed. "I still don't want you coming here." He said aloud. "But I don't think I can change that."

"You can't." I replied, flinching. "I'll be coming for you, Gabriel."

"I know." Which were his last words before I was back in the bedroom.

I gasped as I sat up, thankful I'd put a towel beside the bed for my nose. Once again, my tears were stained across my cheeks and blood trickled out of my nose like a waterfall. I stood up shakily and walked straight into the bathroom for a shower. If I could do this before, I don't think I would have been this bad. The realisation of how different I was during the time he was away hit me once again and I sighed. I had changed so drastically that I was afraid of what Gabriel would think when he saw me again. Maybe he wouldn't like me as much. Or maybe I'm just over exaggerating.

I stepped out of the bathroom and put on the white robes I had removed before I went to sleep in case I got blood on them.

Cameron was sitting on the arm chair with a blank expression.

I gazed back and rolled my eyes. "What?"

"You're going to hurt yourself if you do it again." He mumbled glancing at my bloodied towel. "Stop being so reckless."

"I only did it once more—"

"I honestly couldn't give two shits."

My mouth gaped open.

"Just stop contacting him. Or you'll hurt yourself more than you already have and tomorrow will be a waste." He stood up with burning eyes before storming out of the room.

I scowled deeply at the slammed door and stared out of the window. Sure, he was right but there was no need to be so damn rude about it. He was pissed earlier but why was he still pissed now? That defeated look, that way he was reluctant to part ways earlier, and now this.

What, was he...?

No, wait...

I sighed heavily and groaned as it hit me. Cameron was jealous.

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