"Guardian Angels"

A/N: Thank you to LadyViper for looking it over to make sure it was not totally a stupid idea (*g*),and to the awesome Rhonda for helping me pick the perfect guardian angel name and for betaing this short fic. Rated G.

Location: Four Corners' Church

The sun slowly set in the background as JD stepped into the church, his footsteps echoing in the deserted building. The young man glanced around the small room, immediately noticing he was alone. He walked forward and took a seat in a front pew. He removed his bowler hat, running a weary hand through his dark hair. His gaze wandered to the cross hanging above the pulpit while his thoughts drifted back to the recent gun battle. If it wasn't for the fact that the outlaw's gun jammed, he wouldn't be sitting there. He thought he would've been down at the undertakers in a wooden box. Just the idea sent a chill through the young lawman. He had been close to death before, but for some reason this time really shook him up.

"Everything all right, JD?" asked Josiah who had walked into the church to find the young man sitting there alone. He knew what was bothering his friend … he came close to dying today and that probably scared him to death.

"Yea," replied JD as he ducked his head away from the Preacher's gaze. "Just thinkin' and all. You know it's not the first time I cheated death … it's just this is kinda different." Josiah nodded in understanding. He thought back to when Mattie shot and severely injured the young man. he former preacher sat down beside the young man; a comfortable silence spread between the two men. Finally, JD continued in a low, unsure voice. "Josiah, do you believe in angels?"

Josiah looked over at JD, surprised at his question. "If you're asking if I believe in another force here on this planet with us, then, yes, I do," replied Josiah, "especially considerin' the amount of close calls we've had in our line of work."

JD nodded in agreement and said, "Yea … we've been pretty lucky, haven't we?"

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Location: Heaven - Frequent Flyer's (aka Angel’s) Lounge

The brightly lit lounge was painted in soft muted shades of pale blue and white. The faint music of a harp could be heard in the background as those in the room conversed in hushed tones. The angel, Gabriella, walked in and headed to her normal table, glad to see her fellow coworkers were already there. She sat wearily down in her chair, sighing as she rubbed her temple.

"Rough Day?" asked Michael, her fellow angel.

Gabriella nodded as she replied. "The worst. I thought this would be an easy assignment, but do you realize how much trouble and danger seven men could get into?" The overworked angel didn't stop for a response as she continued. "Humans . . . How can they be so foolish . . . misguided? They think they're invincible, but it's me that keeps pulling their butts out of the fire. . ."

The other angels nodded in agreement, each having had their own experiences with the humans down on Earth.

"I'm only one angel," continued the heavenly being, "and I can only keep those seven men safe from the outlaws, thieves, robbers, and psychos for so long. They've been stabbed, hung, beaten, shot, strangled, and whipped just to name a few, and yet, they still put themselves in danger. Take today, for example, if it wasn't for my intervention the youngest lawmen, JD, would surely be dead."

"They are true heroes of their time," commented Michael, trying to lift his friend's spirits. "Very few angels are given such important and prestigious assignments." The other angels around the table shook their heads in agreement. "Plus, think of all the overtime you're earning," chimed David. Michael rolled his eyes and then gave his friend a look that said, 'you're not helping matters.'

A bleeping sound made Gabriella check her beeper. She sighed as she said, "I've got to run . . . it seems Buck has run into a little trouble. . ."

"Bank robber?" "Thief?" "Bandit?" asked the angels around the table.

"No," replied Gabriella as she smiled. "Husband . . . it's seems Buck didn't realize his lady friend was married. . ."

The other angels shook their heads as a few of them muttered "Humans . . ." In a blink, Gabriella was gone, returning back to earth to protect the seven lawmen whose job it was to protect a town called Four Corners.

The End

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© Lisa 2003

A NEW GUARDIAN ANGEL STORY

by Lisa

THE TORMENT OF ANGELS