| Chapter 53 "Where are we?" Aleisha asked. Nick looked around, not really sure, "I don't know." They were on a beautiful road, paved in gold. Nick looked down the road both ways, seeing a large city up ahead. "Let's go there," he said, taking Aleisha's hand and heading in that direction. They walked in silence for a little while, as the city got closer. They both took in the awesome sights. It was like nothing they'd ever see before. Everything was so pristine, so perfect. Nick looked over at Aleisha as they walked. She was smiling, looking at all the sights. He was sure she felt much the same as he did. He had a wonderful feeling of peace and happiness. As they approached the city the huge city gates were closed. Aleisha looked around, not seeing anyone manning them. "What if they won't let us in?" she asked. "I think they will," Nick said, walking up to the gate and touching it. As he did the lock clicked and the gates began to swing open. He smiled at her, "See." She laughed at him as they entered the city. They hadn't walked to far when a group of people came up to them. "Aleisha? Honey is that you?" a woman said. Aleisha looked over and recognized her, "Mom?" Nick stood and watched as Aleisha's family welcomed her with open arms. He could see the utter joy in their faces, seeing their loved one they thought was lost to them. Aleisha turned to face him, "This is Nick. He's the reason I'm here." Nick smiled, "No, God is the reason you're here. I just helped." Aleisha's family welcomed him into their arms, thanking him for allowing God to use him as he had. Nick was overwhelmed with their gratefulness and seeing the happiness in Aleisha's face. "Nick?" Nick turned around seeing a group of people coming his way. He recognized them instantly, even though in life he'd never met most of them. His family surrounded him, hugging him. Nick never felt such love as he did at that exact moment. When they had all greeted him, they took his hands and led him down the street. Nick looked to see Aleisha and her family ahead of them, going the same way. "Where are we going?" Nick asked. "Where every new one goes," his great uncle answered. Nick remembered his conversation with Jade, "To be judged?" His great uncle nodded, "Don't be frightened." "I'm not," Nick said, trying to take in as much of the city as he could. They approached a large elaborate building. The architecture was amazing. Nick noticed that there were �guards' standing outside. They were dressed in the same manner as he remembered Gideon and Jade being. He knew they were warriors, and he smiled at them as they entered the building. One of the guards smiled back, easing Nick's nerves. As they entered the great hall, Nick could see Aleisha standing in the middle of the room, immersed in light. Two angels were at either side of her. Nick strained to listen, but there was no sound. He could only watch as the light faded away and she looked up. One of the angels to her side took her hand and led her back to her waiting family. As their families pasted each other, Aleisha stopped and hugged Nick. "Thank you for not giving up on me," she whispered. Nick wiped away a tear as they parted, smiling at her. Aleisha's family took her by the hands and led her out of the building. Nick felt someone take his arm and he looked over to see one of the angels that was in the room. "Come with me," he said. Nick left the confides of his family, and followed him to the middle of the room. He looked around, wondering what was going to happen. Suddenly Nick was enveloped in light. He dropped to his knees, under the immense power he was feeling. Nick could see his entire life, being replayed in his mind. He cringed at some of his actions. He had wasted a lot of his life on selfish stupid things. But then the last two years began to play out, and Nick saw how he'd really changed, trying to live what he had come to believe. When the last scene played out, the light faded, and Nick looked up. The angel that had brought him over was kneeling next to him, smiling. Nick stared at him. "You have a decision to make," the man said. "A decision?" Nick asked. "Yes, you may stay here with your family, or you may go back as a helper to us," he said. Nick was in shock, "You mean like Tara and Tracy?" The man smiled, "Yes, like them." Nick looked over at his family, then back to the man, "I want to go back." A brightness shown in the man's eyes, "We were hoping you would. Let's go say goodbye to your family." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Everyone was in tears. They were all shocked at what had happened. Kevin and Kristin were holding each other, as were Howie and Kira. Leighanne and A.J. were crying on each others shoulders. Lyn was still holding Nick in her arms, rocking back and forth with him, sobbing uncontrollably. Brian was behind her, trying his best to comfort her. He felt so guilty for what he'd done. He'd brought Aleisha there, it was his fault that Nick was attacked, that A.J. had gone through what he had, and that Leighanne was hurt. And it was his fault that his best friend in the entire world was now dead. Tara and Tracy looked at each other, feeling what they all felt. Jade and Gideon were standing behind them, silently talking. Gideon put his hand on Tara's shoulder. She turned around looking at him. Gideon spoke to her in their language, not wanting the others to understand just yet. "He's been given the choice," Gideon said, smiling. Tara breathed a sigh of relief, "Is he coming back?" Gideon nodded his head. Jade turned to her, "He will need a teacher." Tara looked at her shocked, "But I don't have a body to come back to. How would I?" Gideon and Jade both smiled, glancing down at Aleisha's body. Tara looked at them, realizing what they were thinking. "Do we have time before he comes back?" she asked. They both nodded their heads. Kevin looked up, hearing them talking, but not understanding it. "What's going on?" he asked. Tracy looked at him and smiled, "You'll see." Everyone watched as Gideon, Jade and Tara walked over to Aleisha's body. They turned her on her back and began to heal the wounds on her arm and chest. Tracy knelt next to Lyn, putting her hand on her shoulder, "Honey, you need to let go of him now." Lyn held Nick tighter, "No, please." "Honey, you need to let go so we can help him," Tracy said. Lyn looked up and stared into her sisters eyes. Tracy smiled at her and reached out, taking Nick from her arms and laying him down on the floor. "Let's get you settled, then we can help Nick," Gideon said. Tara nodded her head, getting up and standing at Aleisha's feet. Everyone watched as Jade and Gideon lowered her over Aleisha's body, then finally merging with it. Then the room filled with light, and Aleisha's body began to change. After a few moments the light subsided and they were looking at Tara laying on the floor, not Aleisha. Gideon and Jade put their hands over Tara's heart and closed their eyes. Suddenly Tara's eyes flew open and she gasped for breath. Everyone glanced at one another, not sure they understood what they had just witnessed. Tara calmed her breathing and with Jade's help sat up. "You alright?" Gideon asked. Tara nodded, and he and Jade moved over to Nick's body. Tracy had him lying flat on the floor. They quickly went to work healing his wounds. Tara made her way over and began to help them. They started with his chest then worked down to the scar from the surgery. Then the scars on his hands, the wound on his arm. Then to the scar on the side of his head. Brian held Lyn as they watched. Then Tracy pulled Nick's hearing aid out and handed it to Lyn, "He won't be needing this anymore." They watched in amazement as all four put their hands over Nick's ears. When they were finished Gideon looked up, "It's time." Jade looked over at everyone, "Shield your eyes." They all did as they were told, as the room filled the most intense light any of them had ever witnessed. They were aware of others being in the room, even though they couldn't see them. Lyn looked up to see Nick standing in the room, several angels around him. Jade and Gideon took Nick's hands and led him to his body, lowering him down as they had done with Tara. The light faded when the others disappeared, and everyone looked to see the four kneeling over Nick, their hands over his heart. Everyone held their breath as the four closed their eyes. After a moment Nick gasped for air, and his eyes opened, but only for a second before they closed again. They all looked at each other, wondering why he wasn't awake like Tara. "Let's take him to his room," Tara said. Gideon stood up with Nick in his arms, carrying him out of the kitchen and up to his room. Brian noticed that Nick looked like a small child in Gideon's arms. "What's going on?" Kevin asked, following them, "Is he alright?" "Yes, he will be," Tracy said. "Why isn't he awake?" Howie asked. "Let us get him settled and I will explain what's going on," Tara said. Gideon took Nick into his room and lay him down on the bed. Tara and Tracy took his shoes off, while Jade took off his outer shirt, leaving him in his t-shirt. Tara looked over at Lyn, "Does he have any sweat pants?" Lyn laughed, "Are you kidding? He never goes anywhere without them." Lyn rummaged through the dresser until she found a pair. She helped Tara and Tracy pull his jeans off and get him in the pair of sweats. Then Gideon pulled the covers over him, making sure he was comfortable. "We will be close if you need us," Gideon said. Tara nodded as he, Jade and Tracy disappeared from the room. Tara sat on the side of the bed, checking on Nick before she faced the concerned looks of everyone. "Tara, what's going on? What did we just witness?" Lyn asked. "Guys, Nick was allowed to come back, just as I was," she started. "What does that mean?" A.J. asked. "It means that he will have the same abilities that Tracy and I do," she answered. "You mean he's an angel?" Kira asked, shocked. Tara smiled, "He's a helper, like I am. We aren't angels in the true sense of the word." "But why isn't he awake, like you?" Howie asked. "Because this is the first time he's done this," she said, "As you do it, it will become easier. I'm used to it by now, so it doesn't affect me." "How long will he be out?" Kevin asked. "Probably for a while," Tara said. "What was all the conversation about before you um..?" Brian asked. Tara smiled at him, "I was allowed to come back as his teacher." "Teacher?" Leighanne said. "Yeah. When he wakes up he's gonna have these abilities, but he has to learn how to use them. That's where I come in," Tara said. "You mean he's gonna be like you? Be able to do what you can?" A.J. asked. Tara laughed, "When he learns how, yes." "Oh man, I dunno if we can handle two of you around," Kevin said, trying to lighten the mood. Everyone laughed. "Well get used to it. You're stuck with us," Tara said. "No two other people I'd like most to get stuck with," Howie said, smiling. Everyone agreed. "Now, can someone stay with him for a while?" Tara asked. Lyn walked over, taking a seat next to the bed, "I will." "Good, we'll send someone in, in a little while to relieve you," Tara said, ushering the others out of the room. "Why can't we all stay with him?" Brian asked. "Cause it's gonna be a while before he wakes up, and he won't be able to handle everyone in the room when he does," Tara said. "Why not?" Kevin asked. "Guys, you all know that I can feel what you are feeling right?" Tara said. They all nodded. "Nick will be able to do that too, only he won't be able to control it like I can. It would overwhelm him if you all were in there," she said. "He's gonna have a lot to learn isn't he?" Kira asked. Tara nodded, "Imagine learning how to walk and talk again. That would only scratch the surface of what he's gonna have to do." Everyone glanced at each other, realizing what an immense task Nick had in front of him. "Now everyone make themselves at home," Tara said, taking Brian's hand. "I need to talk to you," she said. Brian nodded and followed her into their bedroom, shutting the door. Tara led him over to the bed and sat down. Brian hung his head, to ashamed to look at her. "Brian, you need to stop blaming yourself for all this," she said. He looked up, seeing love and compassion in her eyes. "But if it weren't for me..." he started. Tara put her finger over his mouth, "Brian, you had no control over any of this. She sought you out for a reason, and Nick was put through this for a reason. It has all worked out like it should have, so there is no reason to blame yourself for it." "But I did things with her that I would've never done," Brian said. Tara looked at him, "She was making you do them. It wasn't of your own free will." He shook his head, "It doesn't matter, I still did them." "Brian, I know what you did, and I know why you did it," she said, "I don't blame you. I don't hate you either. I love you, and I want you to put this behind you so we can get on with our lives." Brian looked at her, losing the battle to hold back his tears. Tara gently wiped them away, pulling him into a hug, "I love you so much." "I'm so sorry. I missed you so much, I just...." Brian cried. Tara held him tighter, "Shhhh, it's alright. I'm not going anywhere for a long, long time." Brian pulled back and looked at her, "You're sure?" She smiled, "I have it on the highest authority." He smiled, taking her hand in his. Tara looked down, seeing the scars covering his hands. "Brian, take your shirt off," she said. He noticed what she was looking at, "I don't want you to see them." "Do it," she said, starting to unbutton his shirt. Brian conceded and finished taking his shirt off, revealing the scars from the attack in the cave. Tara looked at them, making him turn his arms around so she could see them all. Brian watched her, wondering what she was thinking. She finally looked up at him, "You don't want to keep these do you?" He shook his head. She smiled as she ran her hands over each scar, each one disappearing as she did. Brian sat there in amazement, watching. He could feel a warmth in his skin as her hand gently touched him. Tara finished with his arms and chest and put her hand to his cheek. Brian felt the warmth as the scar disappeared. Tara pulled her hand away and looked at him, "Now that's the Brian I remember." He laughed, feeling as if a weight had been lifted from him. "Now, do you still have some of my clothes around, or am I gonna have to wear hers?" Tara asked, teasing. "I'll go get them," Brian said, getting up. "Good, Cause her stuff don't fit me," Tara said, pointing out that her pants were several inches to short. Brian laughed, heading out the door, "I'll be right back." He bounded down the stairs as everyone looked at him. "Whatcha doing?" Kevin asked. "Come help me," Brian said, walking down the hall. Kevin got up and followed his cousin. Brian stopped at the small sitting room, hearing Angel whining. He opened the door, letting her out. "How'd you get in there?" Brian asked. "Oh man, we forgot. Nick put her in there before all this started," Kevin said. Brian smiled as Angel padded off to the living room to see who was there. "So what are we doing?" Kevin asked. "Oh, getting Tara's clothes," Brian answered, continuing down the hall. "Are you two OK?" Kevin asked. "I think so," Brian said, smiling. "Good, Cause this was sure gonna be awkward if you weren't," Kevin said. Brian laughed, walking into the room he'd stored all Tara's things. He searched through until he found the boxes he wanted. He handed Kevin a box and picked one up, and headed back. Kevin followed him up the stairs, "Bri, is there some reason you don't have your shirt on?" Brian looked at him, "You didn't notice?" "Notice what?" Kevin asked. Brian set his box down, half way up the stairs and held his arms out for Kevin to see. Kevin looked at him, stunned, "Tara did that?" A.J. and Howie looked from their positions on the couch. "Cool man," A.J. said. "Yeah, that's great," Howie said. Brian smiled as he picked the box back up and resumed his way up the stairs. They got to the door and Kevin stacked his box on top of the one Brian was carrying and opened the door for him. "Thanks," Brian said, going into the room. Kevin shut the door behind him, going back downstairs. Tara laughed at him, "You carried those by yourself?" Brian dropped the boxes on the bed, "No, Kevin helped." He looked over to see Tara standing in front of the mirror, naked, looking at herself. Brian's mouth dropped open, and Tara laughed at him. "Come on now, it hasn't been that long since you've seen me," she said. "I know, I just wasn't expecting to..um.." Brian stammered. Tara looked at her back, seeing her tattoo on her shoulder, along with the tattoo of the dragon on the small of her back. "I guess this is one thing of her's I'm gonna end up keeping," she said. Brian walked over and ran his hand over the tattoo, "You can't get rid of it?" Tara smiled, "It came with the body." "But the body changed, it's yours not hers," Brian said. "I know, but things like this stay," she said, "Does it bother you?" Brian looked at it, "Not on you it doesn't." She smiled at him, "Good. You wanna join me?" He looked at her, "Where?" "I need a shower, wanna come?" she asked. Brian smiled as he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the bathroom, slamming the door behind them. Chapter 54 |