Michael gave an exasperated sigh, "Avalon.. I'm not even going to ask what you were thinking. You were sent to help him deal with his grief, not create a whole new set of problems for him."
Avalon looked up at Michael, offended he would suggest that an attraction between her and Nick somehow qualified as a problem.
"I will admit he made significant progress in the time you were there. But it also stands to reason that he can now continue to improve without your help." He paused for a moment, "It hasn't been decided yet, whether you'll be guarding him or not. Right now you have no assignment, consider this a vacation of sorts."
"I don't want a vacation! YOU TOLD ME I'd remain a guardian when I first got this assignment- so why can't I go back to doing my job??" Avalon questioned loudly, becoming more upset. She couldn't stay in Heaven now, and she couldn't not be around Nick.
A few angels working outside Michael's office stopped to listen to Avalon confused. Humans had reactions of anger, angels didn't.
"Things were complicated, Avalon, when you overstepped your boundaries." Michael said, as calmly as he could. He realized Avalon wasn't exactly the same angel she had been. Something about her time away from Heaven had changed her, in a way he couldn't quite explain, but definitely noticed.
"It's different Michael! It's SO different! I don't understand why I did the things I did, that was just how I FELT and it was RIGHT! But you could never comprehend that, could you?" Avalon was surprised at her outburst, but not sorry for it.
"Avalon, you will leave now. Spend some time in prayer, and when we feel you're ready- you will be reassigned."
"Reassigned? I don't want to be reassigned. I like being a guardian." she said.
"Your preferences are the least consideration in assignments, Avalon. You know that. Assignments are based solely on your gifts." Michael answered.
Avalon knew she'd lost. She'd known it from the second she'd realized she was back in Heaven. She had no chance now of staying his guardian. She'd felt things for him and knew things that no angel should, and this was her price to pay. She turned to walk out of the office, but stopped and faced Michael again. "Can I at least see him one more time?" she asked softly.
"When he is assigned a new guardian, I'll allow them to show him to you."
"No, I mean.. let me talk to him one more time. I don't want to just disappear on him."
"No, Avalon. I can't let you do that."
"He cares about me, Michael! I know you don't understand that.. but it's the most amazing thing.. to know that someone FEELS something about you. I can't just leave that and have him think that I just left because I didn't feel anything for him. He deserves it... please..." Avalon said, her voice fading out as she spoke.
Michael shook his head in confusion. He'd never had to deal with a situation like this before. Any guardian he'd assigned to earth had always come back to Heaven of their own volition, and usually before they'd even had the time to experience feelings of any sort, other than being extremely out of place in somewhere that wasn't Heaven. "You have 'til sun up."
Avalon immediately found herself on back Nick's doorstep, having no idea what to say to him. How was she supposed to explain that she was just leaving and not coming back? She reached for the doorbell, not wanting to waste a second she had to see him, she'd think of something to say.
Nick was startled by the sound of the doorbell. Who the hell would be at the door at this time? He got up and went downstairs, yawning and stretching as he opened the door. "Avalon!" He was glad to see her, but had an eerie feeling that her being here at this time of the morning wasn't going to be for a reason he was going to like.
She smiled, just seeing him had instantly relieved all the apprehension she'd been feeling.
He opened the door, "Come on in. Is everything okay?"
She walked past him, into the entry way. She'd been hoping to have a little more conversation before jumping right into things, but did realize the sort of unusual circumstances lead to questions. "Actually, no.."
"What? What's not okay?" he asked, concerned.
"I.. I have to.. go. I mean, I'm leaving.. so I.. came to say goodbye."
No. He hadn't just heard that. She wasn't going to leave him, too. "Why??"
"I can't explain.. I just.. wanted to see you again. To tell you that I enjoyed being with you.. and talking with you.. and thank you..."
"Thank me for what? You're the one who needs to be thanked.. I .. couldn't.. I just..." Nick suddenly couldn't even think to tell her what he wanted to say, all he knew is that he didn't want her going anywhere.
Avalon put her finger to his lips. "Don't. I care about you very much, in ways you'll probably never know. I enjoyed every second I had to spend with you- remember that." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, "Bye Nick".
Nick watched her leave, unable to say anything as she walked out the door. How could this happen?? He'd found something.. no, someone, who'd made him feel good, made him feel like he had some reason to get up in the morning, and now she'd just left him, too. Why did he have to keep losing people he cared about??
As soon as Avalon had closed the door behind her, she found herself in Michael's office again.
Michael looked her, bewildered. "Avalon..."
She glanced up at him, tears slipping from her eyes. "What?"
Michael had no reply. Tears had never fallen in Heaven before, and angels couldn't cry.