In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Twenty Seven of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Twenty Seven of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford

xxxxx

Chapter 27: Wedding and Goodbye

A free period between classes, Rachel O'Hara sat at her desk, grading the worksheets from a just concluded history test. The sound of knocking had her looking up.

"O'Hara-sensei?"

The teacher noticed Shiori and Miyuki at the classrooms' far sliding door.

"Yes ," smiling, "come in. What is it?"

"Well," Shiori speaking, both walking up to the desk, taking a bow. "I know it's only been about half an hour but-"

"If I have your test scores yet?"

"Yes. And we were wondering ..."

"You want the bad news before handing them back to you tomorrow?"

"Errrm ..."

"Hmm ... Let's see," riffling through the papers. "Both of yours were among the first I graded so ... Yes! Here they are."

Rachel handed both worksheets to the two nervous ones.

"Yeeeees!" Shiori exclaimed, giving an enthusiastic jump upon looking at her worksheet.

"Whadya' get?" Miyuki excitedly asked.

"I ...," the bassist paused in her declaration, "... got a ... ninety ... six ... SO DESU!"

"Hey! That's great!" Miyuki praised.

"And just what did you score Ms. drummer?" Asking imperiously.

"Uh ...," Irie smiling apprehensively and holding her paper close. ''... mmmm ..."

"Oh come on!"

"Wellll ..."

"It can't be THAT bad. When it comes to history, you usually score in the eighties, right?"

"Mmm yeah."

"So let's see!"

Sekine made a grab for the paper, a startled Irie jumping back.

"Geez, it can't be that bad."

"Okay," the drummer backing away. "It's ...-"

"Go on!"

"Mmmm ... a ... ninety ... eight?"

"No way! Let's see!"

The teacher smiled from behind the desk. Knowing academics were not an issue in the previous lives of either, she felt good in the knowledge good grades and praise wouldn't result in disappearance. It would not have gone well with her seeing an abrupt departure of either let alone both.

"Unbelievable!"

Comparing papers, Miyuki pointed out the one part of a question she got right but Shiori didn't.

"Uh ... Thanks O'Hara-sensei," papers handed back, a nervously smiling Shiori grabbing Miyuki and both leaving.

"I thought I answered that one right."

"Ha! You should have but ya' didn't ... SO DESU!"

"HEY!"

Rachel smiled at the receding two headed out the far door. The competition between the two though intense at times at least was friendly.

"Hi beautiful."

Startled from her brief reverie, Rachel turned her head toward the greeter at the near sliding door.

Standing, arm-leaning on the jambs' side, her grinning fiance'.

"Was in the neighborhood, thought I'd stop by a moment."

Walking in, the man continued.

"Just one week left."

"Anxious?" Rachel grinning back.

"Oh yeah!"

"The ceremony," grin larger, "or after?"

"Mmmm ... both."

"Sure you are-"

Duffy abruptly leaned over the desk corner, planting a full kiss on the lips of the one returning enthusiatically in kind.

"Both are in here Yuri ... Oh m'God!"

The two looked up on seeing the now blushing previous two Gi-De-Mos accompanied by Yuri and Noda. All frozen in their tracks on re-entering the classroom.

"So wassamaddayou!?" A grinning Duffy in vain effort at hiding embarrassment. "Y'act like y' never seen two old people in love before."

"Shouldn't you save that for ... after the ceremony?" An amused Yuri with raised eyebrow.

"Yeah!" A giggling Shiori. "Get a room!"

"I mean ... like ... It's not like you don't have two apartments between you, y'know," adding Miyuki.

"A little display of affection in public never hurt anyone." Duffy smilingly on the defense.

"Well, gotta go Yuri," two giggling musicians making their re-exit.

The leader and axemans' turn watching them leave.

Nakamura turned back in the direction of the two foreigners with a now quietly serious look on her face.

"Something wrong Yuri?" The teacher serious in turn.

"Nothing bad really," the girl answered. "Mind if I have a seat?"

"Of course."

Taking a desk right in front of the teachers', Noda one behind.

"You might want to sit too Duffy-san. It concerns you both."

With upraised eyebrow, the man seated himself in the front rank of desks next to the teachers'.

"I thought I might find you both here about this time and ... "

"Go ahead dear." Rachel concerned.

"Well ..."

Looking from one to the other the Battlefront leader then stared down at her desks' surface. The other three could tell this wouldn't be easy for Yuri.

"About what happened a few days back. I ... owe you both an apology and-"

"Oh that's not necessary dear."

"Forget about it hon. Either of us would've acted the same way in your place."

"It wasn't just ... toward the foreman, I ... ," Yuri hesitated.

"Oh?"

The two foreigners looked quizzickly.

"It was ... well ... For a moment I thought both of you may have had a hand in hiding him."

"Oh that."

"Like I said ... forget it. Something like that suddenly dumped in your lap ... Makes you think all sorts of things."

"Wasn't thinking straight. I mean both he and I have been here ... In this place ... I've practically lost track of how long and ... A LOT longer than both of you put together ...

"All this time I thought he was just part of the scenery, an NPC. Should have noticed something."

"He did hide himself quite well," noted Duffy. "On seeing you he was pretty well motivated to lay low."

"His revealing himself ... it ... "

"Reminded you of some things you'd forgotten?" Queried the teacher.

"No ... Not forgotten." Yuri gripped her desk, focusing on Rachel. "Just what I put off to the side ... didn't want to think about."

"Like?"

The Front leader paused, looking back down at the school desks' surface.

"When ... it happened ... When my brother and sisters were killed ... murdered. I-"

The other three in the room could see Yuris' tension build, her grip on the desk tightening. Noda inched his desk closer.

Suppressing a quiet sob, the girl tried to continue.

"I ... couldn't do anything. I wanted to but-"

"Yuri? There was nothing you could do but comply," the teachers' soothing voice in reassurance. "You were only a little girl. There was no way you could have stopped them."

"I know ... but-"

"You weren't much older than ... Mari was it?" Duffy speculating. "You were only what ... ten ... eleven?"

"E ... leven."

"Four scared little kids up against three or four large armed men. What could you do?"

"You've been carrying that burden around with you all this time, haven't you?" Rachel asked.

Yuri could only continue to stare at her desk.

"And it's been tearing at you inside. Eating from within ... the blame that is. Am I right?" Duffy

The girl nodded, still keeping the possible crying in check.

"Yuri-chan, honey?" The teacher consoled. "There's no need to blame yourself for what happened, there-"

"I ... WAS ... THERE!"

Her fist pounding her desk, tears threatening to flow.

"I could ... might have ..."

Noda quickly got up. On one knee, beside the Front leaders' desk, his arms about her, the girl momentarily leaned her head on the young mans' shoulder then snapped back. She gazed questioningly between educator and groundsman.

"Yuri ... Yes ... You were there. That is all. And that was all you could be then. Circumstance ... nothing more."

"What little you could do, you did to save them. No shame in that or any honor lost there."

"And you're being unfair."

Yuri focused on Rachel.

"Unfair ... to who?"

"Unfair to two people."

"!?"

"You're judging a scared, helpless little girl from long ago by the standards of the capable young woman you are now. It's not right ... not for that little girl and especially not for who you are now."

"Capable? I couldn't even eliminate that bastard a few days ago, I-"

"The fact you took the situation into your own hands after we handed you that confession," Jack cut in, "proves your capability. A bit emotional perhaps but you still handled it quite well considering."

"Yeah! Considering God decided to intervene and take the bastard away."

"Yuri ... honey ... All of eternity is before you now." Rachel continued. "Do you really want to spend it on the edge of forever hating God? .... Yourself?"

"My-self!? How do you mean?"

"All this time ... From when that horrible thing happened to you when alive and only you know how long here ... You've been torturing yourself over it. Making that hurt deeper and more painful than before. Letting it fester and rot you from the inside.

"And rather than face it for what it is, you've lashed out at God, blaming Him and your situation here thinking you're accomplishing something ... Anything ... rather than trying to heal-

"THERE'S NOTHING!" Yuri checked herself, "there's nothing to heal. I'm ... I'm fine ... And you have no idea what I've been through."

"Nor do you have any idea what Rachel and I or anyone else here have been through."

"All we know dear is what each of us ourselves have experienced," the teacher went on. "None of us can even pretend to know what another has gone through. Only that we all have our own pains and past to haunt us.

"Do you think you're the only one who has suffered so horribly? Everyone has something in their past eating away at their insides. The ones here in this in-between especially."

"In the short time Rache and I've been here," Duffy in turn, "we've been asking around. You have a policy not to ask anyone in or out of your group about themselves unless they start volunteering it. A good practice to be sure but it has its' drawbacks.

"In our asking we've found out a few things. Yeah ... A lot of these young ones haven't had it as bad as you had when alive though definitely enough for them to be here. Others ... a few ... well ... The problems they had ... you couldn't even begin to imagine. Absolutely horrific, some of them ... Some even maybe as bad if not worse than yours."

Yuris' eyes widened some in aggravation.

"Yeah ... hard as that is to believe. You've probably noticed in the time you've been here, some of your fellow students to be rather quiet and withdrawn. They have good reason to be considering the demons they're dealing with on the inside. You're not alone hon."

"Alone ... , at times I sure feel ... that way."

The girl again contemplated her desks' surface, composing herself. After a long quarter minute ...

"So ... You still going through with it? The marriage I mean."

"Yes, dear," Rachel affirmed. "We are."

"You're coming of course, aren't you?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," said the now slightly grinning girl. "At least not this one. I'd like to see how you do this without uh ... What do you call it? ... Oh yeah! ... 'Benefit of clergy'."

"The only option available and just as valid."

"Quakers and libertarians have been doing it for centuries," put in Duffy. "Don't see why it won't work for us."

"And you're not worried?"

"About what dear?"

"About getting ... obliterated?"

"We like to think of it as leaving," the man explained. "The passing from one kind of life to another. What happens ... happens. If it does that is."

"And you're," Yuri looked perplexed, "okay ... with that?"

"Yuri ... If we do leave," Rachel continuing. "We'll be meeting Him. Out hearts desire. The one who made it possible to be eternally happy. We're not worried about what happens after. We'll be with Him ... always." (1st Corinthians 2:9)

"Yeah ... Him. He-"

The young lady abruptly rose from the desk turning, Noda following suit.

Looking over her shoulder at the couple Yuri asked.

"I was wondering ... if you would do a favor for me."

"Of course dear."

"Name it hon."

"If you do uh ... leave. Wether it's at the wedding or ... whenever. If you do leave and get to this ... Heaven of yours to be with your God ... If you happen to see my brother and sisters ... Could you ..."

Yuri suppressed the urge to choke up again.

"Go ahead honey."

"Could you ... tell them ... I miss them-"

Holding back emotion, the Front leader turned, walking out. Nodas' arm about her.

"-so much."

xxxxx

The wedding itself was not an elaborate affair though it did have its' embellishments.

Having studied the Quaker/Civil procedure it still didn't pan out to be the quiet ceremony the couple thought might. At least one out of every four students and half the faculty turned out at the spacious cafeteria lobby for it, the principal "presiding" ready to take the documents for filing.

While most of the well wishers were sincere in their attendance, many came out of curiosity, not only as it was a wedding but also see if either or both of the couple would transcend and vanish. For most it was both.

Rachel dressed in her best formal teachers ensemble while Duffy made do with his best three piece suit.

The usual truce in force, Kanade being also present. At a piano brought in for the ocassion, she, at the couples' request played Wedding Day at Troldhaugen (1) as they ascended the lobbys' center stairs.

 On the large landing over the main floor, both publicly stated their intentions to live as husband and wife. Having done so, the couple signed, in triplicate, the documents stating the same. As witnesses, along with the seventeen principal members of the Battlefront and Tachibana, the principal and several faculty as well.

In a further add-on the couple exchanged rings and vows.

"With this ring," Duffy began bringing it to Rachels' left hand, "I thee wed ..."

Watching from within the standing gathering, Oyama felt a feminine hand enfold his. Out of the corner of his eye, Shiina watched the unfolding ceremony. For once, the "pure" boys' anxiety didn't surface.

The irony of the passages dealing with "in sickness and in health" and "until death do us part" was not lost on the crowd. Nevertheless all stayed silent with nary a comment or laugh. Before them, two people, resolved to find and have happiness, were forging ahead come what may.

With Rachel finishing her recitation of the vows and also placing a ring on Jacks' left hand, the bride made a nod to Japanese custom.

Bowing deeply before Jack, Rachel said, "please take care of me."

Embracing, the couple kissed deeply.

The silence filling the vast room was broken several seconds after the couple parted. Cheers and applause took its' place.

They were still there.

xxxxx

The short reception and lunch took place in the main dining area. GiDeMo playing lighter forms of music for the attendees.

Though the two made it plain  about gifts not being mandatory, the Battlefront at "Safe and Sound" after the reception, presented them with two anyway.

Much to Jacks' delight and amazement, Cha made for him an excellent replica of a pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 bolt action rifle in .30'06.

Rachel in turn became the proud owner of a copy of a Colt 1911-A1 .45 pistol.

With Jacks' encouragement she had enthusiastically entered into the "culture" long before and was quite pleased with the aquisition.

The Haynes firearms manuals Jack had lent the machinist were obviousy being put to good use.

xxxxx

"If we're not back in about a week, then start worrying," explained Duffy, shouldering backpack and rifle. "Two weeks, then ... well ... you know we've left for good."

Yuri along with Yusa, Shiina, Noda, Oyama, Matsushita, Hinata, Yui, Sakaki and Takamatsu stood in the creek bed to see the two, now clad in hiking clothes and backpacks, off on their honeymoon.

"Wether you uh ...  'leave' for good or not, we'll be waiting for you," Yuri replied.

The few watched as the pair meandered up the creek bed and into the trees on their way to their rustic honeymoon.

"Still with us." TK

"Wonder if they'll ever go," said Matsushita.

"Prob'ly when they-"

"Yui!" Hinata taken aback.

"That's prob'ly why you keep brushing ME off ya' jerk!"

"What!? With you!? Now I know this isn't Heaven!"

"Say ... WHAT!?"

"I could think of worse ways to go," Fujimaki smilingly speculated.

"Minds out the gutter guys," said Yuri turning to ascend the access steps. "And somebody turn a hose on those two!"

The bickering couple bringing up the rear, Yuri glanced up at top of the second
entrance bridge, noticing a tiny white haired figure at the railing also having seen the couple off.

xxxxx

Some miles north, in a beautiful little valley formed by one of the creeks' many tributaries, the couple made their honeymoon encampment. At the far end, a waterfall cascaded into a large clear pond. There the tent was set, their home away from home.

For a glorious seven days they lived ... and loved ... far from any possible contact with the school grounds. For them in that short time, no one existed but they.

The first indication for anyone the couple had returned that following Monday was either seeing the now Duffy-sensei at her teachers desk in the classroom or Jack making his rounds as the new Building and Grounds supervisor.

The following several days went uneventfully but for the schools' approval for the couple taking up a larger apartment. They had refrained from having the place earlier as they thought it would be a waste of time moving everything only to "leave" at the wedding. As it was, Jack stayed nights at Rachels' apartment while waiting for the schools' okay for a bigger one.

Now that they had it, a south and west facing one in Res 5 overlooking a beautiful forestscape, they made their plans to commence moving that Saturday.

Before then ...

Friday night, movie night. The customary lounge in Class C packed with students curious as to what the foreign movie buffs picked that night. Rachels' was A Taxing Woman (2), Duffys', Kiss Me Deadly.

As Duffy won the coin toss, his film was started first.

Kiss Me Deadly was one of the wierder filme noir. Ralph Meeker as Mike Hammer, two fisted private eye hot on the trail of vengeance and "the great whatsit". Whatever the "thing" was, he would find it ... Everyone else to die in trying.

About a half hour into the film, Jack Duffy recalled something. The scene of Hammers' mechanic friend, Nick, removing a sizable pipe bomb from his '54 'Vette had him turning to Rachel.

"Hon?"

"Yes dear."

"Funny," arm around Rachel he pointed up at the flatscreen on the wall over the faux fireplace with his other hand. "This is where I came in."

"Came ... in? Whatever do you mean?"

"This-"

The flatscreen went instantly blank.

On the far end of the large couch, Shiina and Oyama, along with everyone else in the room, stared dumbfoundedly at the now empty other end.

"Yes," thought Yuri at the back of the room. "It would have to be in the middle of something they enjoyed. God ... Why are you so-"

A quick check of the couchs' low table and the laptop confirmed the discs and cases to be missing also.

Signalling to Matsushita, Fujimaki and Hinata she instructed, "get some of the
others and search their apartments. There may not be anything there but it's worth a try. I'll spread the word in the meantime in case there's a lot."

The three went off on their mission.

xxxxx

The next day found the principal members of the Battlefront in Safe and Sound
gathered around the desk, a medium size box thereon. It was all that could be found and in the couples' would be new apartment. All three places contained only the generic "motel" style furnishings typical of residential housing. All drawers, cupboards and shelves devoid and empty ... as if no one had ever occupied at all.

A note taped to the boxs' top instructed it not to be opened except in the event of their "departure" and all principal Front members present.

All accounted for, the leader carefully pulled the tape sealing it and lifted the lid.

Therein contained were two copies of The Japanese Living Bible translation (3), some "religious" tracts, several papers on same written by the couple and eighteen sealed envelopes containing personal letters to each and ...

Turning to Yusa, Yuri handed both the envelope addressed to the observer and an extra.

"See to it that Angel gets this," the leader ordered as she handed over the corresponding items.

Though she would rather not have had it delivered, Yuri felt it better to respect the couples' unspoken wish. And with Yusa best able to deliver ... (4)

Everyone quietly separated, each reading silently the personal words the two departed left for them. In the hallway, Oyama quietly helped Shiina in the reading of hers.

Drawing the several sheets from her own envelope, Yuri drew herself up short.

The calligraphy was ... excellent. All knew Rachel to have had a superlative command of the language and scripts but they had no idea how well until now. Reading revealed that more than some thought had to have gone into their writing.

"These letters had to have been written well before their wedding," she thought.
 Noting the others intent with their own corespondences, Yuri sat back to read hers.

To be concluded. Last chapter ... Epilogues
xxxxx


Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 C V Ford

1. Wedding Day at Troldhaugen - By Edvard Grieg in 1896. The 6th piano piece in the 8th book of his Lyric Pieces. Opus number 65.

2. A Taxing Woman (Toho, 1987) - Nobuko Miyamoto stars in this comedy as an investigator for Japans' National Tax Agency looking into the accounts of a clever evader played by Tsutomo Yamazaki.

3. Based on the New Living Translation. It has an informal literary style conveying the meaning of the original texts in modern Japanese.

4. In Chapter 32 of the Angel Beats manga, Heavens' Door, Kanade, through technical means, helped Yusa in controlling her hatred of men. Though not directly stated, the Yusa character went through much abuse by men when she was alive.


Go to In Gods' good time chapter index on C V Fords' Anime Fanfiction Page here. Just scroll down to the Angel Beats section and look up the story.

Go to C V Fords profile page and list of anime fanfiction stories on Fan Fiction dot net here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. Any articles under this 'un means you're already there.

Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the names/characters, places, and events mentioned in this work that are the intellectual properties of others. They are the sole properties of their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase and enjoyment of their works.

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Twenty Six of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Twenty Six of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford

xxxxx

Chapter 26: Aftermath

"I was afraid this might happen."

All eyes on Jack.

On an unspoken word, most of the "trial" attendees, Rachel and Jack with them, repaired to the cafeteria/food court building. In an unprecedented move, the now not-so-outsiders were accorded temporary seats at the Battlefronts' usual tables, being grilled over what had taken place before Yuris' impromptu hearing. All hanging on the words of the couple.

Duffy went over the events leading up to his summoning Rachel to review and affirm what all thought may have been written in the foremans' confession. Rachel summing up the documents' contents.

"Who knows?" The man concluding. "Maybe he was looking for absolution ... forgiveness of some kind ... doubtful he'd get it. From Yuri that is. Maybe planned to disappear but not sure of it unless he at least confessed to her. He did strike me as a really guilt driven man though. I can only imagine the load he'd been carrying all this time."

"The possibility of his disappearance had to have occurred to Yuri too," Rachel speculated. "I can't think of her delaying a chance at what might have been a diminishing opportunity at vengeance."

"Maybe she thought ... God might make an exception?"

Every head turned in the direction of Yui. She had been uncharacteristically quiet the past couple hours.

"I mean, when I first came here ... ," the pink haired one looked about her. "... Just being able to walk was something new and wonderful to me. I thought I might be in Heaven 'til Yurippe and you guys set me straight. 'Til that moment I thought God was giving me a second chance at living.

"Sometimes ... I still think that it ... might be ..."

Hinata put a comforting arm about her shoulders.

"Well ... that's what this place is supposed to be about in a way isn't it?" Duffy glanced about.

"At least according to that ... Angel," answered Hinata.

"For what her word is worth," Takamatsu put in.

"All we do know is," put in Hisako, "when you find whatever your uh ... problem is ... and get it 'out of the way' ... you're gone."

"Isn't that what you really want?" Rachel asking one and all. "Get what's holding you back taken care of?"

"It's that disappearing part after that gets me," Iwasawa adding.

"Yeah," Fujimaki putting in. "Creepy as all get out. Don't like it."

"It's like God's pulling another trick on us," said Yusa. "We've had enough of that."

"You think something even worse might be waiting for you when you disappear, is that it?" Asked Duffy.

"Maybe."

Rachel and Jack scanned the gathering. In their inquiries over the past few months they knew of the varied reasons as to why these young ones joined Yuris' resistance group.

Most, like Yuri, resented God for the extremely negative things that happened in their lives.

Others, like Fujimaki, it was something to do to pass the time spent here resisting transcendence.

With Noda, of course, it was his outright affection for Yuri and the sense of direction she provided.

Shiinas' was unique. From what Rachel as an historian gleaned from her it was out of loyalty to Yuri personally. From when she was a young girl her clan taught the only morals were that ANYTHING (Including love/sex.) was a weapon and the obligation to complete the tasks/missions assigned by the client/patron. God, dieties and eternity, if any, would take care of itself.

It was the emptiness and isolation of her enforced way of life, from the self segregation of her people from the rest of the world in their training and insularity. While younger, she longed to be like the children of the other classes who seemed to be living simpler, happier lives. When older she resented the paradoxical attitude of the "outside" in it's shunning and fear of those of her clan yet also of being so valued and sought after when needed.

"So Duffy-san ... Rachel-sensei," Miyuki started, "what do you think happens when we- ... Um ... leave?"

"Judgement perhaps. One comes before the Lord to be judged."

"I thought that happens right after you die according to your theology," said Takamatsu seated beside Sakaki.

"Oh?" Duffy curious.

"Yes," the tall one replying. "I've heard what you've said to others from time to time. Off  and on I've looked through copies of that  ... Bible as you call it ... we have some in the library and read something to that effect."

"You must mean," confirmed Rachel. " 'And as It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.' That the one?" (Hebrews 9:27)

"One of them, yes."

"Who says we're really dead?" Jack throwing the question to one and all. "For all we know this could be some kind of near death experience. Though ... multiple people, some from different eras, having and being in the same one is certainly a stretch and a half. As this doesn't really biblically fit I'm inclined to think it something else."

"But then," Rachel putting in. "This place in itself could be part of judgement ... a trial ... a test of some kind."

"Didn't you once say one gets to be with God on acceptance ... acknowledgement of fact of the payment your ... uh ... Christ-san made? (2nd Corinthians 5:21, Colossians 2:14)" Asked Takayama momentarily relinquishing his self assumed title. "Why a judgement? I thought that would be out of the way for you."

"Salvation is itself assured," explained Rachel. "Then God determines ones' place and tasks in Heaven with him." (Romans 2:6-11, 1st Corinthians 3:8-15)

"Whatever this is," Jack taking Rachels' hand in his, "when the good Lord sees fit to take us home, we're ready."

"We've heard you both referring to ... wherever ... as 'home' before," Shiori asking, "why is that?"

"Obviously, life on earth isn't our final destination," Rachel answering.

"Otherwise death wouldn't take us. Ones' soul has to go somewhere."

"And it isn't as if this place is either," put in Jack. "There'd be no disappearances if that were so."

"So this final destination ... Your ... uh Heaven as you call it ... with God?" (John 14:1-4)

"Yes."

"Um ... question?"

The two looked at Oyama.

"If ... everything's settled with you ... fulfillment, peace and all ... well ..."

"Why are we still here?" Rachel now asking.

"Yeah."

A murmur went through the gathering. The up to the moment unasked question circulating among them for weeks now out in the open.

"We've been asking that ourselves," Jack started to explain. "Rache and I have talked about this and the only answer is that God, of course, has plans of his own and it's not really up to us to question. I will say, when I proposed, I thought I was taking quite a risk. When she accepted, I thought at that moment we might be gone.

"It wouldn't have been a bad way to go."

"As we're still here," adding the teacher now grasping the mans' hand, "we'll just keep on 'keeping on'. Going on with our duties, even telling others about Him when we can (Mark 16:15). It's what He'd want us to do."

"It's all in Gods' good time."

"And who knows," Rachel speculating. "Maybe we'll be leaving at the wedding. He might see fit to let us have time as husband and wife. Or-"

"We could even be here for a long time to come for some purpose of His own. Like I said before ... whatever happens ... ," the man returned Rachels' grip even tighter, " ... We're ready."

"So ... You're still going to go through with it? ... The wedding, I mean ... Even what happened to you so far ... and after what happened today?"

The couple turned their gaze to a glowing Yui.

"Yes dear," smiled Rachel, "we certainly are."

"It's what we want and we're going through with it. Nothing's stopping us and we're not letting what happens to others get in the way. You ... Yuri ... All of us here ... have our own personal ghosts and demons to fight and settle with in our own ways.

"You could say our coming marriage is one way of doing that, though ..."

Duffy slid up to the teacher, putting his arm about her shoulders looking directly deep into the depthless green of the red heads' eyes.

"... it's certainly much more than that."

xxxxx

Yuri awoke. On reflex she reached, feeling for a presence not there. Lifting her head she sought round for that presence finding it on the other end of the long couch. Slumped down, Nodas' head nodding in sleep.

Windows with the days' fading light, she Looked over at the wall clock, noting the considerable passage of time.

Had he been with her the entire time?

Yes. She remembered being too spent to stand in his arms, he holding her up. Vaguely, she recalled being carried to the couch. Not wanting him to leave her there, she pulled him down and kept him holding on to her while crying herself to sleep. She had awoken once in the interim to find him still there. Now ...

He must have gotten up for something and not wanting to disturb her on return, sat at the couchs' other end.

Getting up slowly, Yuri gently sat herself down next to the sleeping young man. Putting her head on a shoulder, she reached around.

Noda was instantly awake. On seeing the feminine hand on his chest, he put an arm around the shoulders of his leader, both snuggling in close.

He knew this was just a further move for subdued comfort, nothing more. She had long cried herself out and was only seeking closeness. A closeness he felt honored to provide.

xxxxx

"Nakamura-san then, has resolved what conflict may have been between her and the foreman?"

The two foreigners were not surprised at Tachibanas' question. It had been over a day since what occurred in the office and word had quickly spread over the school. They were sitting at their usual cafeteria table on being approached by Kanade.

"Yes," replied the teacher. "Not exactly sure with Yuri herself but the ... 'matter' ... itself has been ... concluded."

"His leaving, if you could call it that, was ... quick."

Both women turned to Jack sitting across from Rachel.

"So you could say it's over. At least for him."

"When he first came here," Tachibana started, "I could see he was carrying a heavy burden, he-"

"Wait a sec!" Duffy, eyebrow cocked, bringing the elfin one up short. "You mean to say you knew about this guy all the time he was here?"

"Only in that he was not one of the non-entities and that something had been greatly troubling him, nothing more."

"Would have been nice had you told us ... said something about it."

"You did not ask. And you seem quite good at determining the real from the not."

Taken somewhat aback, the man paused.

"Yes," his mind lit up. "Have to ask direct questions to get anything out of her. Didn't volunteer anything about that Naoi either til I mentioned it. 'Course she didn't tell me about what students were real or not ... Makes sense ... Not all that communicative ... that's how she operates."

He found it hard to possibly be mad with her. It was the way she was.

"Are there any other non-entity faculty staff here?"

"None that I know of. Other than you and O'Hara-sensei, he was the only one I knew of."

"Well," smiled Jack, "whatever you say then ... Yuki. Or should it be Yuki-chan?"

"Yuki? My name is-," pausing, Kanade frowned but a moment then a faint smile barely creased her face. "Oh ... That silly little program."

"I take it you're not a big fan of it ."

"It's ... ," her smile widened slightly, "... unique."

Off the side Rachel coughed slightly in suppressing a giggle.

"And I'm not a doll."

The expression on the 'angel' now more deadpan than usual.

It was Duffys' turn to chuckle.

"I think you have your shows mixed dear," Rachel said.

"I know ... ," faint smile re-appearing. "I must go now. Student affairs to attend to."

In passing, the petite one, looking neither right nor left, reached out, lightly touching the mans' shoulder with a dainty forefinger.

"Tang."

And walked on.

Rachel exploded in laughter as a grinning Jack, gasping in faux terror, frantically felt about his head, shoulders and torso in an effort of assurance of corporealness.

Kanade looked back at the two as she left the area, faint smile still on her.

"Considering the situation," Rachel thought aloud, she herself watching the girl leave, "something like that here would be almost appropriate."

"Be a mess to clean."

"True. The 'complementation' here is much ... neater."

"That and she'd have to appear as you to set me up for my doom."

Rachels' hands instantly shot out,  grabbing Jacks' and eliciting a genuine startled intake of breath this time.

"GOTCHA!"

xxxxx

"Yurippe," Fujimaki opened, "wanted us to let you know she has nothing against either of you. You were only the messengers and that's because you happened be there."

It was some minutes later the two were approached by the delegation of Fujimaki, Matsushita 5th, TK and Oyama.

"That's good to hear," Jack thoughtfully paused. "How IS Yuri right now?"

"Quiet ... Just stays in the office ... doesn't say much ... Hardly anything really. Any real communication gets to us through Noda."

"Noda?" Rachel asked.

"Yeah," Oyama piped in. "When they talk to each other, it's mostly in whispers. Can't make anything out."

"When we do hear anything between 'em it's single words or short phrases." Matsushita added.

"Those two have gotten pretty
close the past couple days ..."

"Those two have gotten pretty close the past couple days," the sword bearer related. "I mean, we always knew Noda had feelings toward her and that Yurippe had some kind of affection. Now it seems it's coming out in the open a bit. Don't know what she sees in him though ..."

"Then," interjected Rachel, "at least some good has come out of this."

"Not to mention," Jack put in, "some of the things in her past may have been put to rest."

"Things?" TK

The gathering turned to Duffy.

"Oh ... Things like ... Things that have been eating at her since the uh ... incident in her home.

"Who and why they did what they did. What happened to them ... From what Rachel here told me, that confession was quite well detailed ... Where they ultimately ended up. At least for one of them ... maybe. Interesting Kaji manned up and saved that elderly couple ... at the cost of his own life."

"Cold comfort that would be to Yurripe," Fujimaki stated with a frown.

"You saying he redeemed himself?" Matsushita inquired.

"Not for me to say ... That would be between him and God."

"The Man upstairs." TK

"Be that as it may, it's Yuri we're actually worried about," said Rachel.

"Whatever it was with the Buildings and Grounds foreman, it's done. Jack and I have been wondering how she's been taking this."

"Like we said," Oyama summed. "Quiet ... Closer to Noda-"

"In any event, it's some kind of conclusion ... closure for her."

"You don't think ... with some of these things out of the way for Yurripe, she might ... disappear?"

All eyes on a very concerned Matsushita.

"No way in wild Heaven or hell!" TK

"Oh man! Not possible." Declared the swordsman. "Our leader?"

"The first to fight!" TK

"I mean," Oyama started, "she's our leader. Without her ... we'd ...  "

"She's more than your leader guys."

The four looked to the teacher.

"She's lost three people very dear to her in the past. There's a very good possibility she may have alienated herself from her parents because of that ... Maybe from guilt feelings over not having been able to prevent her siblings deaths. Her whole family, in effect ... lost to her.

"She doesn't want to lose this one."

"Wait," an almost speechless Fujimaki. "You're saying-?"

"I'm saying ... It may very well be you're not just a resistance group to her ...

"You're HER family.

"And she doesn't want to lose ANY of you."

"Oh come on!" Matsushita exclaimed, he one not liking to be dependent on anyone.

"Really!" Fujimakis' macho rising. "If-"

"Big sister Yurippe!" TK in mirth.

"Big sister," speculated Oyama. "Maybe something more ..."

"It's more than just big sister, gentlemen," sensei giving an affirmative nod toward him.

The attention of the four young men focused on Rachel even more so.

"Look at the way she treats you ... talks to you. Yes ... From what little Jack and I have seen. Sure, she tries to come across in an organisational fashion. Delegates authority ... But it's something more than that.

"The way she looks at you sometimes. How she deals out punishment when you do or say something she doesn't approve. Her chiding sometimes comes across like that of a-"

"You don't mean ... !" Matsushita

"Aw no!" Fujimaki

"Hey! MOM!" TK laughing.

"It's only speculation but it may very well be that-"

"Now just a-," Fujimaki turned to Jack. "Duffy-san ... sir! You don't believe this is-"

"Like she said. It's only speculation but from what I've seen, and I've been here longer than Rache here ... I'm inclined to agree."

The swordsman looked between the couple and smiled.

"I knew it ... A bit on the carpetbagged side are we?."

"Say WHAT!?" Jack smiling back.

"Of course I mean that in a generic sense." Fujimakis' smile getting wider.

Rachel, leaning over, wrapped her arms around her man, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Thaaanks Rache," said Jack through a faux clench of teeth.

The laughter sounded across the cafeteria. Everyone seemed to need a good laugh on this day. Laughter suddenly almost broken by Oyama.

"Uh ... guys? ... GUYS!?"

Chuckles and grins subsiding somewhat, the group laid eyes on the nervous one.

"Y'know ... I can possibly accept the fact Yuri might be sort of a surrogate mother figure 'n all but-"

"But what?" Fujimaki demandingly asked.

"Well ..."

Atmosphere tensed slightly. All knew Oyama had a way with interjecting unwanted sobriety in a light situation.

"I'm really having a hard time trying to wrap my mind around the possibility of ... Noda," the diminutive one giving a nervous grin, " ... being ... Dad."

"OH MAN!" Matsushida laughing harder. "Leave it to you to-"

"The horror! The horror!" TK

Springing to Oyamas' side, Fujimaki put an arm strangle about the diminutive ones' neck.

"Buddy ... You just said the unsayable ..."

"Yes," thought Rachel above the resulting din. "We can all use a good laugh."

To be continued ...

Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 C V Ford

xxxxx

In Gods' Good Time chapter index, go to C V Fords' Fanfiction Page here. Scroll down to the Angel Beats section to the appropriate story.

Go to C V Fords' profile page and anime fan fiction stories list at Fan Fiction dot Net here.

Go to Fan Fiction dot Net here.


Got to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. If there's a buncha articles under this 'un then yer already there.


Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the names/characters, places, and events mentioned in this work that are the intellectual properties of others. They are the sole properties of their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase and enjoyment of their works.

Angel Beats Hells' Kitchen OVA: I Don't Think I'll Bother

"Tense" moment involving Nodas' grudge with
Otonashi. My guess is Noda gets killed first.

Angel Beats Hells' Kitchen OVA: I Don't Think I'll Bother


I was awaiting this with baited breath until I skimmed the reviews. The one in the Wikipedia episode list goes:


Set between episodes two and three, during Golden Week, Yuri arranges for the SSS to go on a deadly picnic, which involves most of the members trying to kill each other with various traps and gadgets. Sensing an opportunity, Girls Dead Monster members Miyuki and Shiori conspire to kill Iwasawa and seize control of the band from her. As the boys largely fall victim to various traps, leaving just Otonashi alive, Miyuki and Shiori attempt to lead Iwasawa into various pitfalls, but she survives each one while remaining completely oblivious. They attempt to use their last trap, a dreadful concoction, with the help of Shiina, but it instead lands on Hisako, who transforms into a bloodthirsty monster that not even Angel can stop. Sometime later, Miyuki and Shiori explain the events of the picnic to Yui and how they inspired the band to take on their current name.


Hmm ... sounds even goofier than the first OVA.

My estimate of Yuri has gone down a bit. She seems to be something of a sadistic little b---h in having your friends kill each other off.

While yes, in the Angel Beats world death has been reduced to the status of a punch in the nose, one would think at least a few in the Battlefront would be plotting to kill off Yuri or at least lock her up in a "contemplation" room where she couldn't harm anyone. This is the kind of "leader" I would NOT follow.

I'll just rate this as a curiosity and not consider it part of Angel Beats. Pretty much the way I'm getting to view the Evangelion "rebuild" films.

Just sayin' ...


Angel Beats: Not a Haruhi Clone here:


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here.

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Twenty Five of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Twenty Five of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford

xxxxx

Chapter 25: Tribunal

Rachel, offside on the couch, gazed about the office. Only a few minutes had passed since Duffy and several of the Battlefronts' male contingent left to escort the man in and already the room was more than halfway full. Yuri, through Yusa and others, had spread the word and it seemed almost the whole Front would show. Even all four of GiDeMo along with Yui had arrived.

Duffy made it known to Yuri he pledged Kaji safe conduct to the office. After that, it was up to Yuri what was to happen. Jack also stipulating he would not intervene in any way unless the man would try to leave without her say so. Not that there weren't others who would also have a say in that.

Before leaving on that errand, the man cleared the area before the desk and made a point of positioning a plain hard backed chair in front. It was obvious the Building and Grounds foreman was to undergo a "drumhead" tribunal.

Both Rachel and Jack were sure there wasn't going to be anything resembling a real trial, fair or otherwise and that Yuri, as judge, jury and executioner, was to carry out sentence. In a short debate before their coming to the office, the couple agreed there was no real authority at Heavens' Academy to handle anything of this type of situation anyway. Even if there was, it wasn't going to make the man any more guiltier or innocent.

In any event, the purpose of this afterlife/in-between was to iron out whatever emotional or spiritual issues anyone had and whatever happened here today was going to be a way of "resolving" what lay between the two.

And what lay ...

Speculation ran wild through the gathering. Though the ones' earlier present, some with Jack on their escort mission, had a good idea, the later arrivals had no clue as to what was up. With Noda constantly at Yuris' side, Hinata, Oyama, Takamatsu, and Sakaki kept to themselves looking serious and not answering questions. For all anyone else knew, if it weren't for O'Hara-senseis' presence, it could have been a briefing for a meal ticket hit or some kind of elaborate scheme she wanted them reviewing.

Yuri herself, sat silent at the desk, stern look on her face, gripping and re-reading the document.

Noda made it a point not to look over her shoulder. What little he had seen initially was enough as far as he was concerned and anything else would be between the man and Yuri. Though it was obvious the young man was in grim anticipation on what lay ahead what with the look on his face and the way he gripped that halberd.

xxxxx

The escort, composed of Duffy, Matsushita, TK and Fujimaki was met at the utility garage door by Kaji. Apprehension was quelled by Jacks' assurance nothing was going to happen. At least not on the way to the office. The four flanked the man, Duffy in the lead to the left, and proceeded to their destination.

Jack noticed a figure in plain sight at the far corner of the pool building watching. Someone else had invited herself along. One could never tell with that one. But then, if the ninja had decided on attack, she would already have done so before the contingent would have even arrived.

"No," thought Jack. "She's just here to watch. Probably thought he might make a break for it."

The short, solemn walk, uneventful.

xxxxx

A noticeable hush fell over the office prompting Rachel to break from her observations and turn her head to the door along with everyone else. The four man escort with their subject had arrived.

"Do you have anything on you?" Duffy asked.

Indicating his use of the left hand, Kaji reached slowly into his coverall and gingerly withdrew a pistol, handing it to Jack. A collective intake of breath sounded from the gathering on sight of the gun. A fixture of the school had just revealed itself not only as NOT part of the scenery but as a potential menace that had until now, gone long unnoticed.

Hefting the pistol, Duffy made a quick estimation.

"Old Nambu eight millimeter. Wartime relic ... ," surmising to himself. "Must have brought it with him coming here."

Pocketing the weapon, he indicated for Kaji to put his hands to the doorjamb for a pat down search.

"No need for that." The interruption coming from the back of the spacious office.

All in the room looked to the desk. Yuri looked back down continuing to read.

"She's taking this quite well considering," thought Jack seeing the grim, tight lipped apparition, still seated, papers now flat on the desk surface. "So far."

Contingent advancing to the desk, the man noted Shiina back in her usual position at the rooms' northeast corner.

"Probably got here before we did and I'll bet no one had seen her arrive," thinking to himself. "Gotta' find out how she does that."

Gesturing for Kaji to take the lone seat at the desks' front, Jack turned toward Yuri. Placing the foremans' pistol on the desk in front of her (Then snapped up by Hinata.), he turned and went to an awaiting Rachel on the couch. Now just an observer, his part in this unfolding drama was over. Seating himself between his fiance' and Iwasawa thus putting himself between the desk and Rachel, he put a reassuring arm around the teacher.

The foreman looked nervous but resigned. He had made his choice and come what may, would submit to whatever might happen next. No doubt more than one gruesome scenario had circulated through his mind over the several years he had been here. His guilty conscience giving no let up and now ...

"There was one who held back ... Tried talking the other two out of it."

A hush fell over the gathering. Yuri, papers now down on the desk, looking straight at the man in the chair, had begun to speak.

"That was you ... wasn't it?"

Her voice flat in extreme effort to keep herself calm. Effort noted by one and all from the way her left hand gripped the desks' edge.

"I ... Didn't think he'd do it." Kaji answered. "Was only going to put a scare in you he said. Was only going to be the money and whatever else we could get-"

"Why-"

"It was supposed to be quick ... Get in, get out ... Take what was small and easy to fence and whatever cash there was to grab. I didn't think he would-

"I didn't ... think."

"Why!? Damnit!"

The sudden expletive seemed to focus the man.

"Stopped breaking into warehouses ... too well guarded. Security companies getting wise. Thought we'd lay off that for awhile ... try something else.

"We started looking at the better neighborhoods. Better the homes, better the chance of a good haul and-"

"NO!" Yuri momentarily exploded then instantly calmed. "I ... don't give a damn ... about that."

Kaji, bewildered, looked questioningly at the Front leader.

"Why our place ... why us ... Why ... did my brother and sisters have to-"

Tension mounted among one and all. The suppositions of the initial bunch with Yuri when she recieved the papers confirmed. Her question an announcement to the rest as to what it was about. Confusion now cleared. Most in the Battlefront familiar with her backstory.

"Your house ... Off in the corner ... More separate from the rest ... secluded ... Trees in back ... That's how we got away. We-"

"Why did they have to die!? ... DAMN YOU! ... WHY!?"

"I wanted to stop them. I ... couldn't. I-"

"ANSWER ME YOU SONOFABITCH! ... WHY ... DID ... THEY ... HAVE ... TO ... F-----G ... DIE!?"

The Front leaders' controlled facade breaking, she rose from the desk chair.

"We ... They were just kids ... LITTLE kids! ... Mari was nine ... and  Saya was seven. Kei was only ... five ... WHY ... You didn't have to- ... And in THAT way."

"I didn't want to ... I didn't kill any of them, I-"

"You held them back! You helped keep them in the living room while I had to go over the house looking for anything that might be worth something. YOU ... BASTARD! You killed them as surely as if you used the knife yourself, you-"

Yuri abruptly stopped, taking a breather in trying to calm down. With something of a grip on herself and now slightly cracking voice, she continued.

"You thought we had money and valuables laying around? A safe maybe? Mom and Dad had all their money tied up in investments or the bank. It wasn't like some stupid movie where someone makes deals and throws out envelopes full of cash. It wasn't some-"

"He wouldn't listen ... Said it would be easy. Had it all planned out, he said ... Things went wrong ... he went crazy ...

"I didn't think he'd do what he did. I wanted to stop him ... couldn't."

"WHY!? Why couldn't you stop him? Except for your whining at him, you didn't even try. Why couldn't you have-"

"He was my brother ... was ... I ..."

This new development brought Yuri up short. Though shaking, she sat back down, silent with a look telling him to continue.

"He ... never was ... any good. Was always wild and strange ... violent.

"I remember mom making me promise to watch over him when we were kids. She hoped he'd change.

"Got worse as we got older. Got into trouble a lot. Fights, petty theft, drinking ... you name it. Reform school, psychiatric examinations ... Did nothing for him. When he got out, he graduated to burglary and breaking into stores and warehouses.

"He seemed to have smartened up ... At first. No violence. Tried to avoid running into anyone. The merchandise and money was what counted.

"Then something changed.

"It was the damn coke. Took to snorting it a few weeks before we hit your place. Hyped him up. Stopped thinking straight. Don't know how he got it, laws being so tight on it usually you could only get grass or heroin.

"I tried to convince myself it didn't matter. That he'd keep his head together. Didn't.

"I wanted to stop him ... couldn't ..."

At the pause, the Front leader jumped back in.

"WHY!? Other than saying something, you didn't even try! So what if he was your brother ... Damn you! I-"

"I was afraid of him! ... I ... was ... "

Yuri, breathing hard and in almost a half crouch in her chair, glaring at the pathetic creature in intense hate.

"Oh God! ... You've no idea how much I wanted to ... Every night ... when I ... try to sleep ... I see the faces of those children ... those kids. Every day, especially when I see you around, is a constant reminder of the coward I am.

"I can't live .. DIE ... with myself. I ... "

An audible, low growl of utter contempt could be heard from beyond the desk. With an effort, Yuri put her arm up signalling restraint to Noda. A restraint she was hard pressed keeping for herself.

"Your brother ... was very brave. Showed some guts ... Stepped up to be the first. Probably thought he was protecting the three of you doing what he did. He-"

"I don't need anyone ... Least of all ... YOU! ... Telling me what happened," Yuri interrupted through clenched teeth. "I ... saw all three of them go. All three ... Kei ... Mari ... Saya ... All that ... blood ... and that f-----g brother of yours laughing ... LAUGHING damn you!

"Did it right in front of me ... Wanted me to see it ... See it all ...

"And ... you ... did ... nothing. NOTHING!"

A thought hit Yuri. If one of her past tormentors was here ... in this-

"The others! ... Your brother ... The other two ... Are they-"

"They're not here, believe me," Kaji started explaining. "If they were, I'd have told you. My brother's ... dead ... the other guys-"

"He got his? Good! I hope his going was hard. Yours too ... As it will be from now on."

The man visibly shuddered, apprehension building on the girls' last remark.

"It WAS hard ... His going. I did it."

"Did ... it. What? You kill him?" Yuri skeptically inquired.

"... yes ... ," the foreman, head hanging, stared at the foot of the desk. "I killed him. Had to ..."

All in the room long in rapt attention. Yuri, momentarily silent in the hope it would prompt the man into continuing.

"We ... Laid low awhile. Two months for the heat to die down. Stayed in Osaka with friends. Goro, he was one of the other two with us when we ... were at your place ... spotted an opportunity we took it."

"Opportunity?"

"He saw an old man in a bank. Drew out a lot of cash. Followed him home, then got back to us. Kenji decided to pull the job. Same as when we-"

Though knowing it was futile, the man brought himself up short lest he arouse more ire in the Front leader.

"Old man and his wife. Another so-called easy hit. We busted in on their dinner. Had 'em scared ... like ... before."

"Go on," Yuris' curiosity had a slight toning down effect.

"I knew what was coming ... Couldn't let it happen again ... couldn't ...

Looking up, straight into Yuris' eyes. The mans' sniveling ceased and the calm resignation from before took over.

"He had the old man fetch the money. With that knife at his wifes' throat I knew it wouldn't stop there. He was gonna' kill 'em both right there. I couldn't let it ... Not again ... Not this time."

All on their feet in Safe and Sound leaned forward, not wanting to miss a word.

"The old guy was out of the room. That's when I made my move.

"Kenji was holding the old lady while flashing that knife around. When that blade was away from her, I hit his knife arm. Guess it wasn't hard enough. He still held on to it, but he let her go.

"I told him no more. Stealing's one thing ... Murder? No more-

"He came at me, I shoved the pry bar in his face. He backed up a bit, I swung back and hit him again. That's when he went down.

"The other two took off. Don't know what happened to them.

"What I do know is ... I'm looking at my brother on the floor. Could tell he was dead by the way his neck angled. Must have broke it.

"His eyes ... Staring ... Looking like he was surprised before he died. Guess he didn't think I had it in me. I know I didn't ... 'til then.

"I noticed the blood. Mine this time. He must have cut me. In the gut. Didn't feel a thing ... Not at first. Had to get out of there.

"The old man and lady were just standing there holding each other ... Oh God! ... Just like your two little sisters did when-"

A more than audible, deep from within, primal hiss emerged from the girl behind the desk, building up.

Not seeming to notice, the man continued.

"I started to tell them how sorry I was. Seeing as how I was leaking all over that living room, I had to get out ... hospital. All I remember after was getting out the door then ...

"I was here."

All Yuri could do at that moment was glare at the pathetic excuse of humanity before her.

"I ... know there's nothing I can do to bring your brother and sisters back. If there was I ... would.

"I came here ... Wrote this statement out ... because I can't go on ... living ... If that's what you'd call it in this place, with this on my conscience. Eating away at me like it's been these last few years here in this Naraka ... This ... hell.

"I'm not asking for forgiveness, that would be impossible knowing what you ... What I put you through.

"Whatever you do ... your descision I'll accept. Anything's better than going on with this sham I've been going through-

Yuri still behind the desk, tense breathing along with face looking the same.

"You ... Have NO idea what I went through after." Yuri stating evenly. "I spent three years going through psychiatric treatment ... The drugs ... the mind games, the-"

Duffy stiffened at that announcement, Rachel gripping his hands noticed the tension in him immediately.

"Ever since ... it ... happened. I dreamed of what I'd do if I had the chance." The Front leader stood in full, hands off desk. "All sorts of things ... When I wasn't crying over it ... I couldn't think of anything else. Never thought it'd be dropped in my lap like this-"

"I-"

"SHUT ... UP! SHUT THE ... HELL ... UP!"  Yuri pushed back the desk chair, setting the stage for conclusion. "You had your say ... Now I'm having mine."
The man visibly cringed at the sight of the now about to be avenging angel.

"Yeah ... all sorts of ... things ... to do if ever I ran across any of you ...

"Funny ... For some reason I can't think of anything right now ... I'm Okay with that ... for the moment.

"You can't die here, you only come back. Well and good 'cause that means I get to kill you more than once ... Yeah ... a LOT of times.

"I'll think of something later but right now-"

A collective intake of breath and exclamation hit the crowd, many drawing back, as Yuri slowly drew the Beretta from behind.

In trying to protect Rachel from a possible wild shot, Duffy instinctively turned, grabbing his love in a tight hug, putting his body between her and the scene unfolding. The teacher complicating matters by trying to look around.

Everyone else, stock still in witnessing the execution.

"This'll do for right now," Nakamura declared, sick smile on her face, aiming the large pistol straight at that of the man. "Heh ... All the time ... in the world."

The front leaders' left came up in support of her gun hand. Right thumb swept up the safety lever with an ominous click. The opposable digit then levered the hammer back into single action.

It was as if the target looked straight through the guns' barrel and slide at Yuri. Bravery wasn't what showed. Only an exhausted resignation seemed to register on his face.

"All ... the ... time ... in the world."

"All ... the ... time ... in the world." The girls' smile wider.

Right index gradually increased pressure on the trigger. Yuri was relishing for the break. The low audible hiss from before rising in volume-

-cut off abruptly on espying the now empty chair before one and all. Beyond dead silence, making its' ponderous non-presence known.

For Rachel and Jack, it was the second and fourth time respectively they had seen an obliteration.

The silence, broken only by the heavy thump of a pistol being placed on a wood surface, continued. All eyes on Yuri now leaning palms down over the desk, head hanging.

Small gasps, becoming deeper, graduating to sobs, breathing erratic, shaking, trembling in her anguish. Her siblings gone long before, now the very revenge she dreamed of taken as well.

With startling abruptness, the Front leader snapped her head up, face twitching with emotion, spasmodically scanning the crowded office.

"OUT!" The high pitched rasping shout at least as hard. "GET ... OUT! ... Everyone ... All of you! ... GET OUT ... NOW! ... get-"

She paused and continued.

" ... Please!" Her tone changing as she returned her gaze to the desk top. Tears starting to form.  "Just ... leave? ... please ... I ... can't ... I ... I need to ... need ..."

Their commanders' voice trailing off into anguished sobbing as she collapsed into the chair. The varied crowd of the Front turned to leave, teacher and maintenance man following suit.

Noda, reaching out to her hand, thought the better of it and turned. Feeling the sudden tug on his sleeve, he partly turned back to see a spent, weeping girl, staring pitifully at the desk top, holding onto him. Through stacatto breathing he heard her plea.

" ... You ... stay ... See everyone out but ... stay ... Please? ... Lock the door and ... come ... back here."

Placing the halberd in the corner, the young man proceeded to the door.

Emptying quickly, the room but for Yuri and Noda was soon vacant. Last one out, the ever observant Shiina nodded to him on exit.

Lock clicked into place the ax man apprehensively returned to the desk, not sure in-

He coming round the desk end, she was instantly out of the chair and upon him with a speed he found incomprehensible. Yuri enfolded the young man in her arms, clawlike fingers digging seemingly through his blazer and into his back.

Face in his shoulder, she, through her tears, haltingly instructed.

"Hold me Noda ... Just ... hold me ... Nothing else ... I don't think I can ... stand ... "

"Hold me Noda ... Just ... hold me ... Nothing
else ... I don't think I can ... stand ... "

To be continued ...

Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 C V Ford

xxxxx

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In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Twenty Four of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Twenty Four of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford


Chapter 24: One He Did Not Suspect


Morning break. By himself in the cafeteria, Duffy sat with his coffee, musing on his God given good fortune. In about three weeks he was to exchange vows with the most beautiful, caring young woman he met ever. And he didn't "mess things up" as he had in relationships past. Making the promise of things later all the more sweeter.

He was a guy after all.

So what did it matter this not being a "normal" situation? He, Rachel, the others ...

"We may not be alive so to speak but that doesn't mean we have to be dead," he thought.

A movement to the front broke his reverie. Kaji approaching with a sheaf of work orders. The foreman would sometimes find him on his breaks, handing him notes so he wouldn't need to check in later.

After a brief exchange of greeting, the foreman left the papers and exited.

Glancing at the receding figure, Duffy examined the notes.

The second bringing him up quite short.

"Whatever you do, show no reaction on reading this. Someone may be watching.

"Please see me IMMEDIATELY in the office. This is of grave importance regarding matters of a very personal nature."

Being the stoic type, Duffy kept the reactions to what he hoped an undetectable minimum. After reading ALL the notes (Keeping up appearances in case of aforementioned observation.), he pocketed them, casually got up and left, leaving cup and saucer on the tray caddy at the entrance.

He never once would have suspected Kaji as a genuine. The way he acted, went through the motions, he was the NPC of NPCs. In all the time he had been here, through his observations, Jack saw no indication the man to be anything other than the "R.U.R." (1) he made himself out to be. There had to have been GOOD reason for him to have concealed himself all this time.

"Matters of a very personal nature," he thought. "This better not have anything to do with Rachel. Doubt it though. He's been here longer. Longer than me, even. Shoot. First person I ever talked to here."

Arriving at the utility building behind Class A, Jack noted the garage doors down. Pulling to loosen the .45 in his under the coveralls shoulder holster, the man cautiously entered, heading to the office in back where Kaji awaited. At his desk, the lead motioned for him to sit.

"No one followed you? See you leave and come here?" Nervous.

"None that I noticed. If I was, well ... I wouldn't have been able to tell. Besides, she's not in the habit of shadowing me ALL the time and hardly does that anymore anyway. Got other things to do."

"That's good for now ... I guess." A look of resignation on his face.

"Never would have thought you to be uh, for real so to speak." A suspicious Jack starting the conversation. "It'd be an understatement to say you've hidden yourself well. Mind telling me why, sir?"

"I ... Have good reason to. It's partly why I called you here."

"That reason being?"

Kaji looked down at the desk, hands on several papers stapled together. Moving them toward Jack, he stated, "I need you to do a favor for me ... A big one."

"A favor?"

"Yes ... ," continuing to slide the papers forward. "I need you to deliver ... This."

Lifting the sheaf, Duffy examined. In spite a very expanded vocabulary and his knowledge of several hundred kanji  and getting the hang of the other two alphabets, the script still came across as a seemingly endless parade of mangled spiders.

"Mind telling me what this is all about?"

"You're entitled, considering what I'm asking ... and about to tell you anyway."

"Should be ... interesting."

Both men settled back in their chairs. Duffy felt this to be a long one. He was right. Kajis' tale WAS ... interesting.

"Like you, on coming here I was confused, bewildered. Had no idea what I fell into. Of course, being Japanese, it wasn't so hard to take in as you had. No one noticed me, I fit in.

"I was also relieved at the same time ... at first. It wasn't the hell of suffering and misery I expected. I also not only didn't have to worry where my next meal was coming from but I had a job, with title and position. An actual place in uh ... society I could be a part of. Something I found very hard to maintain when I was alive.

"This wasn't Heaven. I could see that right off. But, like I said before, it wasn't damnation either. For the first couple days, I thought my troubles were over ...

"Then I saw ... HER.

"She was ... older. Her looks may have matured but I could tell right off who she was.

"I've been spending time in hell ever since."

xxxxx

On conclusion of Kajis' story, Jacks' mind was a mix of conflicting emotions. Running from pity to utter contempt of the broken creature before him, he didn't know wether to feel sorry for or spit on him. Thoughts of emptying a full mag of .45 into the man ran through his head.

Maintaining self control, Duffy picked the papers off the desk and re-examined.

"Mind if I bring someone else in on this?"

Kaji giving off a nervous twitch asked, "someone ... else? ... I ..."

"Another neutral third party," Jack held up the papers. "Can't read this. Need someone to verify."

"Oh," relieved. "O'Hara-sensei?"

"Yes. I'm taking this for her to look at before delivering. No insult intended. This is sudden and I need to make sure something isn't being put over on me."

"I ... understand."

xxxxx

Leaving the utility garage, Duffy went down the side of Class C and entered the buildings' first tier. Going to a wall phone in the teachers' communal office he dialed Rachels' cel. Like his apartment phone (He was a cel phone "hold out". Didn't care for them.) Rachels' still operated on the number she arrived with. After these several months it still felt odd, his dialing a Toronto, Canada number, area code and all.

xxxxx

Almost an hour after school let out, Yuri sat at her desk in Safe and Sound pondering the strange phone call Duffy-san called in earlier.

A matter of grave importance, he said. Concerning her. And it would be a good idea to get some "muscle" to attend as well. Noda, Matsushita, TK, Fujimaki and Oyama patiently standing by, others soon to arrive.

Looking up at the clock she noted the time. A knock at the door (Mallet trap deactivated for the moment.) revealing the foreign couple punctual ... and seriously reserved.

Yuri motioned the two to sit.

"So ... ," the Front leader starting hesitantly, not sure what it was they were here for, "just what is this 'matter of grave importance' you mentioned?"

Jack glanced sideways at Rachel still examining the papers. Noting the mans' attention, she handed the sheaf to him.

"Rather than give an account of what was told us, your reading will serve better and save us both time and  breath."

"Reading ... As in?" Yuri cocked an eyebrow, pointing at the papers.

"Yes, this." He held up the notes then placed them before her.

"What is it exactly?"

"A confession." Reply in flat statement, Duffy sliding them toward her.

"Confession ... ?"

"By someone you've ... uh ... been very much wanting to meet for quite some time. Sorry ... can't put this into words very well.

"As you know, Rachel can read this certainly better than I could ever hope to. She's cross checked this with his story and it matches what he told us. He wanted us to deliver this to you and-"

"He?"

"Someone you've met before."

"Before?" The girl hesitantly picked up the papers.

"Though you've never seen his face. At least not when you initially met."

"!?"

"And he very much wants to meet with you," Rachel added noting the curious male members of the Front gathering 'round. Duffy also noticing their closer presence.

Noda, stepping up to Yuris' side, looked quizzically at the sheets before his leader. A sidelong glance from her to the halberd wielder gave no sign of annoyance or disapproval of the young mans' close proximity as in the past.

"Good," thought Duffy. "She's gonna' need ALL the moral support she can get when she takes this in."

Holding the document, both hands, Yuri read.

Not even half way down the page, a tremor in the hands evidenced, not lost on those about the desk.

Reaching out, Noda placed a comforting hand upon a feminine wrist only to have the hand brushed abruptly aside. His shock at such quickly dissuaded as Yuri, with a quick intake of breath, relented and grabbed the young mans' mitt for support, holding tightly.

Her other hand clenched, the papers partly crumpled under the grasp.

Shaking spasmodically, Yuri set the sheets down hard.

Looking straight into the mans' eyes, a wide eyed look of shock and maniacal hatred.

"YOU!?"

"Not until a few hours ago," the man talking low and slow. "He had everyone fooled ... You ... me ...

"To tell you the truth, I'm not happy with this guy either. It was all I could do to keep from shooting him myself. Had no idea I was working next to a monster all this time."

Abruptly standing up, both hands now flat on desk surface, Yuri quick-glanced at each of the six young men about.

"FIND HIM ... NOW!"

"We've ... got to find him ... FIND HIM! ... The bastard! ... The son of a-! ... "

"Find who!?" The collective question from the young men.

"The-," Yuri looked at Jack then back up to the men. "The Building and Grounds foreman! He's not an NPC!"

"Not an-"

"What!?"

"This is-"

"His not being an NPC, how does that-?"

"Just FIND him!"

"Hold it. Yuri, he can't-" Jack trying to reason.

"Find him ... NOW! He mustn't- ... GO!"

"Wait! Guys! HOLD IT!"

The six stopped themselves in mid-rush to the door, a surprised Hinata, Sakaki and Takamatsu just entering through. Alternately looking between the foreigner and their leader, minds partially confused. A stoic Shiina, having unobtrusively taken her usual corner during the precedings, looked on.

Yuri, again with that hate charged look toward Jack. The sudden usurpation of her authority in her group by an outsider, not sitting at all well.

"He's not ... going ... anywhere hon," Duffy stated. "... Except here."

Rachel, taking a risk, leaned forward, reaching out, both hands enfolding Yuris' right. Though shaking violently, the girl made no effort to slap them away. The gesture seemed to have a calming effect as the girls' face went from ferocious to stern.

"Why ... would he-?"

"Where else would he go?" Jack making a rhetorical question. "There's no place he could hide on the school grounds. You and your group know the place better than I do and I know I could find him quick enough. Certainly not the guild tunnels. The woods? Matsushita and I know the hills better than he ever could and no matter what, Shiina'd track him down before any of us could get to him.

"No ... Like I said before ... He's not going anywhere ... But here.

"Which should be," the man glanced at his watch and then at the wall clock, "in about twenty minutes."

To be continued ...

xxxxx

1. R.U.R. (Rossoms' Universal Robots) - A 1920, three act science fiction play by Karel Capek about a revolt of synthetic humans.

Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 C V Ford


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Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the names/characters, places, and events mentioned in this work that are the intellectual properties of others. They are the sole properties of their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase and enjoyment of their works.

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Twenty Three of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

In Gods' Good Time

by

C V Ford


Chapter 23: Rachels' Story


"I don't know how you do it," Jack marveled, setting down his fork, "but you do."

Another fantastic meal with Rachel concluded, the man settled back at his place at the table watching the gorgeous apparition working in her kitchen. He wasn't a believer in luck. The term, fortunate was more to his liking.

And if fortune would hold ...

He reached in his pocket, holding the ring box, nervously running his thumb over the small lid.

Yes ... if fortune would hold ...

"Just a matter of working out whatever deal needed with the cafeteria staff," said the history teacher coming out of the kitchen. "The Principal okayed my uh ... 'shopping' there so that place is like a supermarket to me."

Yes ... the principal.

"Gotta' do SOMETHING with all those meal tickets." Sitting down.

"Yeah ... well ... There's something else I'm hoping the principal would okay."

"Oh?"

Getting up, the man circled the table. Sitting down next to her, he steeled himself as he withdrew the small box from his pocket. With both hands, he held it as he opened the lid.

Rachels' quick intake breath put Jack in an even quicker state of aprehension. The amazed and hesitant look on her face did not bode well.

"I ... made it myself. The ring and setting that is," nervous. "Cha and his bunch found the diamond ... did the cutting and mounting ... I-"

"Oh Jack! ... It's beautiful ... but ... I ... it ..."

"You ... don't have to make a descision right away. I'll understand."

"It's not that, it's that ..."

!?

"There aren't any clergy. No one to perform the ceremony ... And we can't just move in together. It wouldn't be right, it-"

"Quaker wedding."

"What?"

"A Quaker wedding."

A flash of recognition hit the teacher.

"I've been giving this lots of thought for more than a while," he started. "Doing some research. There is a way and is just as valid as a civil or church wedding and certainly better than common law."

"Yes," she recollected from her own knowledge. "What they did in the early days of both our countries when priests and ministers couldn't be had."

"We take it before the Lord, in the presence of witnesses and declare our intentions and vows. All witnesses present sign a statement. We file it in school records."

"That would be where the principal comes in," Rachel stated.

"And having Tachibana and Nakamura there, they being the two ... uh ... 'factions' ... would make it complete. The principal, wether human or not, is for all intents and purposes is just as authentic an authority figure as anyone could be here."

"I'm not sure if Kanade is old enough to and-"

"Yuri is ... And even if she isn't, there will be others present who made it past eighteen before coming here. Cha for instance. That and the fact most of the Battlefront have anyway. Besides, even if they had all come here before reaching legal, they've certainly passed that during their stay.

"So it comes down to this," he partly concluded. "Will you ... marry me?"

The mans' apprehension started to increase slightly as the object of his affections made a long pause of indecision. Something of her own apprehension beginning to show.

"Jack," she began, "before I say ... anything ... I ... I want you to know ... I do love you and ... care deeply ... but there's ... something that-"

"I've never asked."

"Asked?"

"Whatever's in your past is of no concern to me. The past is what it is and stays there."

"Maybe for now. But it will always be there for me. And even though nothing would be said now, things will come out in bits and pieces over time ... Things that-"

"Things that need not be said. It-"

"But they do, Jack! I need to say them."

"Now-"

"I need to say them to you."

!?

"It's only fair."

"Fair? How's that?"

"Remember some time ago? You told me about yourself. You were more than uncertain about us and felt-"

"That doesn't obligate YOU in any way."

"But you felt an obligation to yourself as well as me ... as I now. I need to clear the air for myself as well as both of us ... as have you."

xxxxx

"I completed my Bachelors' and that definitely opened some doors. If one is to take up working residence in Japan, a BA is one of the minimum requirements.

"4M Company is an international investment firm trading in commodities, securities and the like, particularly in Asia. They're always on the lookout for talent in languages as well as in the financial sector. They had their eye on me while I was in college and I was assured of employment on graduation. I worked for them while earning my bachelors assisting in their translations departments. I also helped teach English to their Japanese staffers who came to Canada for their two to three year stays.

"When I got my BA they offered to send me to Japan. I jumped at it."

"I wasn't under any illusions about the country. I didn't want to set myself up like some silly otaku who thinks the country is a land of happy little anime makers. My study of history outside of the required courses in college revealed a lot.

"In spite of outward appearances of being a modern democracy, I knew Japan to be a feudal state, ruled from the top down."

"Yeah," answered Duffy. "The emperor isn't some ceremonial stooge or figurehead they trot out for special occasions. The Diet being pretty much a rubber stamp outfit."

"Yes. The value of each individual is measured in how well one obeys ones' immediate superiors. I knew the country had a past of heavy sexist and racist oriented tradition. Not only would I be looked on as an outsider but as a woman as well. Business is run the same way as well.

"I knew one had to tread lightly there," she looked about her. "Or rather ... here."

"I still wanted to immerse myself in Japanese culture as much as possible and the chance to do so at company expense was too good an offer to pass up, so I went.

"My duties were still pretty much the same but my BA led to the position of a teacher of English and not just an assistant. The fact I'm able to read most of their Kanji as well as the two phonetic alphabets was a big factor in my being there."

"I was there two months, really getting into it, when I was given a temporary teaching assignment at a branch office in Kyoto, north of here and ...
Duffy cocked his head at Rachels' moment of hesitation.

"Well, cut to the chase ... I met him on that assignment ... had an affair."

"He was a charmer, I fell for it. He was married but that didn't stop me from being stupid. We started seeing each other on his biweekly trips to the main Tokyo office.

"Three months later, I missed my period. Doctor confirmed ... I was pregnant. I knew I was taking a risk, even with birth control. Obviously it didn't work."

"Pill's only 97% effective at best," Duffy speculated. "Cuts down the odds but the chance is still there."

"If I thought it through at all, it was wrong even with that. It's still an abortion drug ... works also by keeping a fertilized egg from implanting.

"When I told ... him ... He tried to talk me into an abortion. I wasn't going to do that ... murder."

Duffy nodded.

"He gave me a choice. Either abortion or it was over. Would give me a month to decide."

Rachels' face darkened.

"The way he put it had me decided alreadly. Very cold, distant about it. Like a damn business proposal."

"Like you said. A real charmer."

"Next thing I know, I'm out of my teaching position and clerking in our translations department a few floors below the board offices. One of his cronies let it be known to me in that roundabout way of theirs that this was to keep me from seeing and embarrassing him during the next biweekly  board sessions. I was also told it was also a prelude to my being let go in case I made the 'wrong' decision and keep the baby."

"Bastard ... " Duffy directed his disgust at lover boy.

"Yes ... he was at that.

"Then the real surprise hit."

Jack leaned forward.

"My next period came."

"The new tests showed the originals came up with a false positive. I immediately went to another doctor for a second opinion, he confirmed the same. I wasn't pregnant to begin with.

"When, a couple weeks before the next board meet, I was reminded of my descision deadline. That's when I made a little arrangement of my own."

"Arrangement?"

"Plan actually."

"Plan?"

"For making my exit from the company in as loud and flamboyant a manner as possible. None of that roundabout, reserved Japanese discreteness and politeness they're so famous for."

"Yeah ... They certainly have a thousand ways to politely screw you over while keeping things quiet."

"I let it leak about the faulty preg test and that I'd like to see him.

"I always traveled light, so it was no problem packing. Stuff was pretty much packed to begin with. A couple days before the meeting, my then room mate, who I KNEW was running into to him through one of his cronies, was off on a 'business trip' with that same associate, so she didn't see the luggage go out the door. Bags were waiting in storage at Narita, everything in place.

"A few hours before the board meeting, we met at a restaurant across from the building. I had on a dress and shoes he gave me as part of the act. The message wasn't lost on him and and his beady little eyes lit up on seeing me.

"Told me things ... WILL ... not could, be the same as they were before. I was to be his ... whore ... and I would be back to my teaching position. Maybe even an advancement of some kind."

"That was magnanimous of him."

"Yes, he could be a very kind and giving bastard.

"I agreed ... NOT!

"About a half hour before the meeting, I change into pants and sneakers and laid low 'till about fifteen minutes into the meeting."

"That's when you made your move?"

"Yes. Taking the dress and shoes along, I get to the board floor. A large room with all these clerking and secretarial cubicals in the center, ringed on the outside walls with offices and conference rooms.  I practiced the speech for about a week, making it short so I could be done before anyone could do anything. I get up on the reception desk at the head of the room, and announce to one and all his and my little affair and what a weasel he was."

"Holy crud! I'll bet that stirred things up."

"Oh yes! Things like that just aren't done in Japan."

"So what happened next?" Smiling.

Rachel was relieved Duffy was not only taking this well but getting into it.

"After about a minute, I notice someone running to the boardroom. A minute after, the top staff comes rushing out, including the CEO of all people! Had I known he would be coming all the way from Ottowa I'd have had an even better speech planned.

"Well, HE was in that bunch, bowing, scraping, and apologizing to everyone like the little bootlicker he was. The Japan CEO, speaking through his top flunky, was admonishing him about keeping his whores and dalliances under control.

"I almost about lost it when I denounced HIM, the company, and the bunch in front of me. I settled on cursing them out in Japanese, English and since a couple of their Quebec people were there, some French too.

"I notice the flunky telling HIM to get me down from the desk and remove me from the room. He comes up, making with the big talk and tries to grab my leg. That's all I needed-"

"Oh?"

"I throw the dress and shoes at him and a kick to the shoulder. Sent him back a couple feet. What happened next ... unbelievable! Little coward runs screaming back to the boardroom.

"I then turn to the rest, tell them something about how I can't be fired because I quit. That's when I got out of there."

"How'd you get out? I'd imagine security would have been called by then."

"I wasn't about to let them have the satisfaction of escorting me out. I jump off the desk, hopped an elevator partway down, switched floors where I already had my overnight case stashed and took the freight elevator the rest of the way. It was out the loading dock and into the street just as a couple uniform staff arrive. Got a cab and in a couple of hours was out of Narita, heading to L.A."

"Why Los Angeles?"

"Phoned a friend there the week before. Said she would put me up for awhile ... til I got my bearings."

"Why not back to Toronto?"

"My parents. Couldn't face them."

She noted Duffys' look of concern.

"Not that they would have given me trouble. They knew I was having problems and urged me to come home. They're always like that. They would question my decisions or chide me over consequences later but ... They were always praying for me."

"They always find out," she gave a little laugh. "I always tell them."

"So I stayed in L.A. for awhile. Shouldn't have ..."

"Why's that?"

"This is where it really gets bad, Jack."

The man, reaching over, clasped both hands over hers.

It was her turn to shrink away but couldn't. The mans' firm grasp held.

"You don't have to go on, you know."

"I do know, Jack. And I feel you SHOULD know."

"If anything, it's more for you than anyone else. A catharsis of sorts. Get it off your back like I did."

She continued.

"The friend who put me up. Knew her since high school. Like you, she was a real movie buff and collecter. I was more into anime but our interests more or less coincided.

"She had a dream of going to Hollywood. Making it some way in pictures. Things didn't work out like she planned but she still got into ... movies ... If you could call it that ... So ... did I ... unfortunately."

Rachel felt Jacks' grip get firmer. In sharp contrast his voice became softer.

"I take it ... What you mean by movies in this case ... has to do something with that ... 'other Hollywood' ... In the San Fernando Valley?"

"Yes."

She noted the look on Jacks' face. There seemed no condemnation. She still looked away, shame starting to show on her own.

"I needed money if I was to stay in L.A.. Thought maybe I could get a fresh start of some kind from it. Fresh start to a total dead end was what it turned out to be.

"At first the ... 'work' ... looked easy ... as well as the money. That's how they draw you in. The first month anyway. After that, the pace picks up and ...

"A grueling, dirty business. Run by grueling, dirty people. Up to three eighteen hour sessions a week. And the things they have you do! I managed to keep from a lot of what they wanted but it still took a toll."

"Yeah," Duffy intoned. "The internet's created a more than constant demand for new product. Not like the days of just film and print where one had to be satisfied with a few movies and magazines."

"Yes. The work is so heavy. I've seen people heavily into drugs and alcohol trying to cope. It never works. Didn't for me ... "

"And the disease factor. It's like growing cultures in a petri dish ... worse. I got colds and flues every month like clockwork. The health clinics they had us patronize were a joke. Regularly passing HIV infected people off with a clean bill of health.

"After about six months I got out of there. Got back with my parents in Toronto and went to a real doctor. One test after another and I had to be sure. I was lucky to have gotten off with only type one Herpes.

"Funny ... Ever since I came here a few months ago, I haven't had a flare up since."

Duffy, reaching, put out a hand, stroking Rachels' cheek. She shrank away.

"I didn't care, Jack!" Small sobs started their rack. "I'd already been a whore for a vile little man. At the time, I didn't think it would be any different showing myself as one to the whole world."

Strong arms enfolded about, they drew the woman to the man. He held her head to his shoulder, soothing sounds emanating.

"I care ... ," he declared, " ... about you. You're not a ... whore. You're Rachel O'Hara. A beautiful, loving woman who I hope soon is going to be my-"

"I can't! I'm not-." She shuddered from the small sobs emanating.

"What? Good enough ... Worthy?" The man 'chided'. "For quite some time I felt the same way about myself toward you, remember? That is ... until ... YOU ... pointed out how we're all here for a reason of SOME kind. I thought that reason to be many depending on the individual ... but ... It's actually only one reason ANY of us is here.

"That reason being ... well ... We all have one life to live. A time on Earth exclusively ones' own to go through and make of it what one can. That life ... and how it's lived is the only one you have. Whatever happens in that life, things you do ... don't do ... descisions, good or bad ... circumstances beyond our control ... Our dealings with others.

"We have to accept it ... come what may ... And at the end ... know that it was a life lived and lived as well as one could. Your life ... my life ... theirs ...

"It's all about acceptance."

"Acceptance?"

"After the end. How things turned out ... came to be. And no matter what ... To be able to say ... This life was mine."

"Jack .... It's a joke ... a sad little ..."

He held her tighter.

"We're here in this place ... this inbetween ... dead. Between, for all we know, Heaven and hell ... And you want to-"

"Who says we're dead?" He softly cut her off. "Yuri and her bunch? Just because they made it an off and on again battleground doesn't mean it's the same for you 'n me.

"Look at them? Sure! Why not? Let's learn from others mistakes and avoid doing them ourselves. I've found, especially after you arrived, that death, if you could call this that ... I don't ... not anymore ... Is NOT the end. I've found life can be lived ... even here.

"And I want to live it with you.

"And say ...

"This life ... even here ... was OURS."

She stiffened in his embrace for a few moments then relaxed. Looking up she noted the combination of sincerity and determination in his eyes. She could see he meant what he said. His commitment ironclad.

"Then the aswer is yes, Jack. I will marry you."

The ring fit perfectly.

Rachel stared at her left hand for a few seconds, admiring the adornment. Duffy noted her hand slightly trembling for but a moment then ceasing.

Looking about the apartment her eyes fell upon Jacks'.

"We're ... still here," she said smiling and surprised.

"Disappointed?" Jack smiling back.

"No ... ," planting a light kiss on the mans' lips, "... I'm not."

The kiss he returned much longer, arms pulling her tighter to him.

"Here ... Or where whatever THERE is. It's Heaven wherever you are."

xxxxx

The news traveled quickly. The crazy gaijin couple was getting married! And in such a unique way.

The emotions of both student body and faculty were mixed. Interestingly enough, NPCs among both groups also expressing interest.

The girls were mainly enthralled. The guys, a mix of curiosity and puzzlement.

Yui became less hyperactive and more doe eyed. Hinata more nervous than aggravated.

In their quiet way Sakaki and Takamatsu became closer.

The object of Shiinas' affections ... Terrified.

Some ... A bit envious.

One of whom sat at her desk in Safe and Sound trying to wrap her mind around the idea. Not so much about the marriage itself as how one could seek, let alone find, happiness in what she felt was nothing more than a land of sadness and regret.

Though all were invited to the wedding (Within a months' time.), invitations had been sent to a select few. Yuri held hers in her right hand, examining and contemplating. Wondering how one could put such a dare in the face of fate. She was certain the two would disappear any day and yet ... It didn't seem to concern the couple at all. They had even referred to the possibility of being "obliterated" as ... Going home (!?). It made no sense to her at all.

"Has to be that strange religion of theirs," she speculated aloud. "Wanting to be in the presence of-" (Psalm 16:11)

She let out a sharp gasp and pulled her left hand midway between herself and the hand she had unconsciously grasped while deep in thought. Noda had been leaning with his right on the desk reading his own invite, not saying anything when her fingers wrapped about his.

He had made no sound or action of recognition lest she drew her hand away sooner. As it was, as far as his affections for the unknowing goddess he worshiped was concerned, he was content to take what he could get. At this moment, it was far a LOT more than what he had gotten in the past.

Noda, always watching, following. Never leaving her side except when on some fools' errand in effort to please or impress. The devoted one, dedicated to his leader. A dedication meaning much more than what he let on.

She knew he had a worshipful affection for her and, when he was not being hasty and doing something foolish, felt good when he was around. In a controlled setting when led properly, he could be an invaluable asset.

The masculine hand moved over, covering hers. She, blushing, hand slightly trembling, about to backhand him but thought better of it.

Happiness ... Here? ... In this ... place?

Noda felt her tenseness ebb. Feminine fingers intertwining with his.

To be continued ...

Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 C V Ford

xxxxx

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