Angelic Sins

chapter 4

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Ringo and Lucy reappeared in an alley across the street from a nice little java caf�. Lucy began to pull away, but found that Ringo wouldn't let go. She looked up at him quizzically, but he just smiled back.
"Oh, those eyes�" Lucy thought to herself as she smiled back. "Something wrong?" She said out loud.
Ringo shrugged. "I've always wanted to hug an angel."
"Oh�" Ringo released her, and Lucy pulled away somewhat reluctantly. They walked across the street into the caf�. Ordering their drinks, a cappuccino for Ringo, a hot chocolate with marshmallows for Lucy, they sat down at the table closest to the window. Ringo sipped the hot beverage slowly, trying to read the concern lacing Lucy's face. Lucy looked up, and, seeing him staring at her, blushed. Ringo's brow furrowed.
"What's wrong, luv?" He asked softly. Lucy shifted uncomfortably.
"Well, there's this thing that's been digging at me for quite some time�" Lucy started, her fingers tracing the rim of her steaming mug. Ringo laughed.
"I've never seen you so serious! Is this about me and Candy, 'cause for what it's worth, I don't really like her, and�" This time Lucy started to laugh, albeit nervously.
"Oh, no, that's not it, but that is nice to know. It's actually about John." Ringo's brow furrowed.
"John? Why, what's happened?"
"Well, your John is fine�it's the 2000 John that we should worry about."
"Oh? Why?"
"Well�he's�uh�dead." Lucy glanced up, afraid of what she might see on poor Ringo's face. He looked like a deer in headlights.
"What??" Lucy coughed nervously, tears threatening to spill out.
"He's dead." Ringo sat back, desperately trying to take it all in. Lucy grabbed his hands for reassurance, and he squeezed hers back. He took a deep breath, then continued.
"When?"
"I'm not allowed to tell, for fear that you might try to change history by saving him." Lucy said reluctantly. Ringo nodded sadly, understanding.
"Does our John know?" Lucy shook her head.
"I'm not sure how to tell him or how he'll react. I know I have to tell him; it'd be better than him finding out on his own, I would imagine." Ringo nodded, still looking slightly shocked. He squeezed Lucy's hands.
"How�how did he�"
"He was shot outside his house." Lucy responded quietly, reading his mind. Ringo looked even more shocked, the color draining from his face. A tear rolled down Lucy's cheek, and Ringo seemingly woke out of his trance to wipe it away for her. Lucy sniffed, smiling weakly. Ringo stood up, motioning for her to do the same, and gave her a big, warm hug. Lucy sighed shakily, feeling better already.

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Ashley peered into the crystal ball at Lucy and Ringo. "Awww�how cute." She smiled to herself, then called up an image of George. Finding him silently listening to her CDs, she decided not to bother him, calling up an image of Paul. Paul was staring out the window, his face dark.
"Uh, oh. Looks like someone needs a pick-me-up." With a snap of her fingers, Ashley was gone.

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Paul gazed out the window, but not seeing the cityscape before him. His mind was far elsewhere. He was thinking about John. Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. "Nick? I need some time alone. Can you tell the other lads to leave me alone for a minute?"
"Paul?" Ashley asked quietly. Paul jumped a mile, and Ashley giggled.
"Sorry."
"Oh, it's alright. Have a seat, Ash." Ashley pulled up a chair, sitting on it backwards. Paul continued to stare out the window.
"Paul," Ashley began quietly, "I know that this upsets you, but�"
"Upsets me???" Paul sprung from his chair angrily. "He's me best friend!" Ashley countered, raising her voice to match his. "Paul, people die! It's the way of things! It can't be changed no matter how much you may like�or love�the person!" Paul looked at Ashley, fists balled in frustration. Ashley stared back determinately, but her eyes were soft. The two, guitarist and angel, stared at each other for a long time, neither speaking, nor needing to. Eventually, Paul dissolved into sobs, collapsing back into his big leather chair. Ashley silently got up, moving to hug him gently and try to soothe his troubled mind.

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John got back to the hotel room to find his band mates walking around like the living dead. At least they were moving to prove they were alive. Jason was sitting on the couch with a water bottle on his head. Lars was having a breakfast of leftover KFC with Kirk, and James was just coming out of the shower. John sighed, then proceeded to take another shower, shave, and change into his new white shirt and jeans. He came out, feeling much better, to the sound of Lucy cooking another four-star breakfast.
"Boy, you fellas are a sorry lot." Lucy tsk-tsked. Lars and Kirk had finished off the KFC and were starting on a breakfast of Belgian waffles, Lucy-style. Jason was laying on the couch, wrapped in a blanket with an ice bag on his head; clearly the workings of Dr. Lucy. She turned to John, smiling brightly.
"Mornin, hon!" She handed him a plate of waffles, and John sat down to eat. Jason suddenly sat up.
"He is risen!" Lars shouted, jokingly. John noticed that Lucy grimaced at this, bit didn't think much of it. Lucy got Jason situated for breakfast, then, after everyone was all settled, she motioned for John to join her in the next room. John followed, slightly confused. Once inside the room, Lucy closed the door behind him, motioning for him to sit on the bed. "You may want to sit down for this." John stared at her in confusion, but sat down regardless. Lucy sat down next to him, taking his hand.
"What?" He asked incredulously, eyes wide. Lucy took a deep breath.
"John�" She began slowly and deliberately. "There's something very important I need to tell you that you need to hear from me."
"Yea?" Lucy shifted uncomfortably.
"John, in the year 2000, you're not around. You're�dead." Lucy winced, risking a look at John's face. She cringed as he opened his mouth to speak.
"I know." Lucy stared at him, mouth hanging open. "What?" John nodded slowly. "I know." He said, more softly than before. Lucy blinked twice, trying to absorb this.
"But�how�"
"Asked Lars how John Lennon was doing lately. Evidently, not well. He couldn't give me details, like time or place, but what he said was more than I wanted to hear, anyway."
"Oh. But�"
"Why didn't I say anything?" John read her mind again. He shrugged. "Didn't want to bother you. Didn't bother me."
"Why not?" John shrugged again. "I dunno. Maybe it just hasn't sunken in yet. Do the others know?"
"Ringo and Paul do. I don't know about George; he's Ashley's responsibility." Lucy stated absently. John seemed to realize how serious this seemed to her. He moved to put his arm around her, and she didn't move. She lay her head on his shoulder, and he lay his head on hers.

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"Wow....the ceiling really is entertaining," George thought, staring up at the pasty white ceiling. He had been listening to cd's for hours and he really started to get attached to them. They were certainly better than records would ever be. He thought about asking Ashley if she had anymore, but decided against it. He didn't want to be a bother. But, as entertaining as they were, he was sitting in a blanket of silence. Suddenly, he felt a small breeze. His window wasn't open, and he didn't understand where it was coming from. He saw a small burst of light, and Ashley fell onto the bed next to him. He sat up quickly when she came in.
"Oops..." she said quietly. "Stupid cosmic alignment, I'll have to take that up with the Superior Angels. It just isn't easy for angels these days..not at all. I'd like to see all of those superior angels try to fly through the alignment when it's active, yeah, that'd be a riot...Dumb old time angels....think they know everything just 'cause they were born B.C., well they aren't messenger angels anymore, now are they? Their millennium is done and over with! Well, I've got something to tell them when I get back up to the cloudy sky...God couldn't take away rage as a beginner angel, could He? Well-"
"Ashley?" George asked quietly. She looked up.
"How in the name of the Lord did I get in here?" she asked. He looked bewildered.
"Um...you kind of burst in...." She hit her head.
"Oh well, I was planning on coming here at some time or another anyway," she said sullenly. "I thought I was by myself, see...Angel blindness...can be temporary downfall to traveling during the cosmic alignment...you didn't just hear me...complaining did you?" he nodded his head. "Oops." She hung her head. The news that would fall upon George's ears would shock him just as it had the others, and she didn't want to see George fall apart like Paul did.
"Um...is there a...um...reason...that...uhh." Suddenly she just flung herself at George and hugged him.
"Promise me you won't cry or yell or scream," she whispered. "PROMISE me..."
"What? why? I promise?"
"Please....please I don't know how to tell you this...Lucy handles these things so much better than I do..." She shook her head and stepped back.
"John...he's...he's.." she said, her voice barely audible.
"John? Is there something wrong with John?" George asked frantically.
"Not...not your John, per say. Um...the year 2000 John...well...he's not doing well," She said.
"Is he sick? What? What's wrong with him??" George asked.
"He's...He's dead, George...He's dead...." A look of shock invaded George's face.
"What? He's...what?" he shook his head, and then looked at her accusingly.
"Is this your idea of some sick joke, because I don't think it's funny. You....you just don't kid about death like that, Ashley. That's SO terrible!"
"WHY IN GOD'S NAME WOULD I KID YOU ABOUT DEATH? I AM DEAD!!!!!!!!!" She yelled a little louder than she meant to. "Death isn't funny....I should know...and I promise you I am not lying...I'm not....he's gone, George. And I am not going to sit here and argue with you about the meaning of life or why we live and die, because it hurts too much. I just know we do, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. It's just the art of dying....and...I'm sorry." She started crying, just like she did with Paul. But Paul had believed her, because he'd seen proof on the news. George had to take her word for it.
"How?'" he asked.
"What?"
"HOW DID HE DIE?!" He yelled at her furiously. "What.....was it pills? Over dose on drugs? Maybe he got ran over by a train..a nice way to go. Was it a plane crash? a car wreck? Did he commit suicide? Perhaps jumping off a building suited him, or maybe he slit his own wrists. HOW DID THE BASTARD DIE?!?" George had gone hysterical. Ashley sighed as she choked back the things she had planned to say out of hurt.
"He was murdered. Shot and killed." She shook her head. "It was terrible."
"And how did you let this happen? You, the all knowing "CARING" one, �OW could you let this �APPEN???" Ashley cried a little more openly.
"THIS WASN'T MY FAULT!!!! HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME!!!!! How could I prevent it? I was an angel in training back then!!! How dare you..." she trailed off, looking hurt. She shook her head. "I am leaving now. Feel you need me, you know where I am.....say the word and I'll come if you promise not to hurt me with false accusations...bye." She then disappeared and left George, shaking, kneeling on the floor, asking God how this could happen to someone that he had been so close with.

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Ringo walked along the street, thinking about what Lucy had said. He's never really imagined a time with John gone. he'd always been there...he's always been John. Who would have thought.. Ringo sighed and walked on. If Lucy was okay with it, then He would be too. He couldn't imagine being in her place. Knowing exactly what was going to happen...and not able to do a thing about it. He wondered how John felt. Knowing John, he would have taken it easy...until he thought about what it meant and then he would have gone crazy. Hopefully he still had an ounce of sanity. Ringo walked "home" only to find Candy waiting for him on the couch.
"Where did you go?" She asked cockily. "Out where?"
"If it was any of your God damned business, I would tell you, wouldn't I?" He replied nastily, instantly regretting that he'd spoken so harshly. She nodded and stood up.
"Well, I am glad you had a good time," she said, unaffected by Ringo's last comment. She walked out of the room. "Since you are home, I am going to go meet Clint and Sam at a little diner....you want to join?" Ringo shook his head.
"I'll be fine here, luv," he replied. Candy nodded and walked out the door, shaking her "lower extremities" so Ringo could see what he was missing. He didn't give a flying fuck. He sat down and turned on the television, since there wasn't much else to do. He was really impressed by the amount of channels. But, he soon clicked the t.v. off and picked up his guitar. He began to practice, letting his long fingers glide through chords. He hadn't the slightest about what each one was. Then, he got an idea. Since they were all gone, he walked to where they practiced and sat down at Clint's drums. He missed playing the drums, even if he was doing well on his guitar.
"Oh just for a few minutes," he said, giving the snare drum a tap. then he went back and forth, making sure to hit all the cymbals, Tenor, snare, tom-tom, and bass drums, and even giving the hy-hat a few taps. then he broke into more familiar beats. Beats he had played so many times before, but this time it was different. These weren't just two and three year old beats. These were 33 and 34 year old beats. He knew that the drum parts were probably much more complex now, judging off what he had heard from Clint, but he loved to sit and play the drums. It just came so naturally. He didn't notice that he had a growing audience. An audience of three. Clint, Sam, and Candy. When he finally did notice, he stood up quickly.
"Busted," Candy said quietly.

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Lucy sat on her bed, munching on some potato chips. He looked down on John who was laughing and playing around on the guitar, getting ready for his show in a couple hours. she smiled at his attempts to kick James. Then, she changed to Ringo. Ringo was...playing the drums?
"Oh...Ringo, they are going to catch you!" She said quietly to herself, locking her eyes on Ringo. She shook her head....he sure did look happy. Then, she decided to check up on Paul and George, even though they weren't her responsibility. She hadn't seen Ashley in quite a while, and she was getting worried. She looked down at Paul, who was talking to the band. He seemed to be looking better, although Lucy could tell what still occupied the first spot in his mind. Then, she switched to George. She found Ashley crying hysterically screaming at George.
"Oh...oh my God.." Lucy said, watching it. She was afraid it might get violent, but she knew Ashley better than that. She watched George yell something at her that must have been terrible because Ashley started crying harder. Lucy shook her head and thought about blinking in but decided against it. She shook her head. It was hard to watch George hurting her friend. Suddenly Ashley blinked in, still crying.
"What in the name of the Lord happened?"
"It...it's not my fault!!!!" Ashley cried. "I-I couldn't help it that John died!" She sighed. "You were there with me when it happened," she said quietly. "You were there too...you brought him to heaven with me...it was our first...first.."
"Death.." Lucy said, remembering quite clearly how disoriented John had been. They had been the ones to bring him to heaven....and they had to have it in their conscience for the rest of eternity.

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"I am sorry I have been distant for the past couple hours. When do I meet the manager?" Paul asked, trying to get his mind off the fact that John was dead.
"Soon....don't worry about it. Anyway, I was thinking, it might be a good idea if we sang together...I mean, you do have to have a harmony. What is your voice?" Nick asked.
"Well, I don't know..it's pretty high..." Paul trailed off.
"Well, let's try to sing "I Do." Is that okay with you?" Justin asked.
"Sure," Paul answered having no idea what any of them were talking about. So, the four sang the song, which Paul found rather appealing.
"Those are pretty good lyrics," he said.
"Well good...now, let's fit you in. What chord is the opening note?" Drew asked. Paul really didn't feel like figuring out music mechanics for this.
"No, dumb ass, WHY would we come in piano there? Mezzo piano maybe even Mezzo forte or forte...but NOT piano! Not in that part!" Justin was saying.
"Yeah, but isn't there a decrescendo down to piano? I DISTINCTLY remember a decrescendo down to piano, and then a crescendo up to Fortissimo!!!" Jeff argued. Paul sighed....The Beatles didn't have many fights like that. They just said "George, come out a little more there. Back off a little there, John." This could be a very long night if they were going to argue over a bunch of Italian words that would be ignored in the end.....they always were.
"How about you all sing Mezzo Forte JUST so we can get Paul's part established before you add in all the goodies," Nick put in.
"Oh alright," They agreed. And so they were off to finally give Paul a part in their band.

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John ran through all the songs once on his own. Then, he ran through them with the band. His fingers were just warming up, he knew.
"What time does this shindig start?" John asked.
"'round 7:30....we've got really awesome fans. Of course we have the meet and greet thing first...and afterwards. It's really awesome to see all these people that worship you. It gives you a sense of outlook that you aren't just playing to the air when you are in the studio. People actually care about your work," Lars explained. John nodded. He knew all too well.
"Let's go......don't forget your 'meet the press' smiles!" James called out loudly to the band. They all snickered quietly to themselves. Needless to say, most of them were feeling a little better after their crazy night last night. They walked out of the doors, only to be greeted by a bunch of roudy fans. John smiled....most of them were not female, and he had no problem with this. And there were some females, but they weren't screaming adolescents with no sense of outlook in life except to lay one of the Beatles. He was a little nervous. He wasn't sure how the fans would receive him. He began signing autographs for fans. He was halfway down the line when he realized something. He'd signed John Lennon on every single one of them.

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Ringo opened and closed his mouth a few times before speaking, staring at Candy, Clint and Sam. Clint and Sam just looked confused, but Candy had the look on her face like a cat that had just caught the mouse.
"Uh...I thought you were...going out...?" Ringo said weakly.
"Ah HA! I knew it!" Candy cried triumphantly, flipping her bright pink hair over her shoulder.
"Knew what?" Tossed in a bewildered Sam.
"What's going on?" Clint added.
"Candy, this isn't what it looks like..."
"I know what it is!"
"What is it?"
"What?"
"You're Ringo Starr!"
"Who??"
"I bloody well am not!"
"Not what?"
"Him!"
"Who???"
"Ringo!"
"What?"
"There, you answered!"
"To what?"
"He did?"
"That!"
"WHO???"
Just as the room was dissolving in chaos, there was a loud knock at the door. Everyone was silent, staring at the door. It opened slowly, and someone that Ringo was very grateful to see poked her head in.
"Lucy!" He cried with relief.
"WHO??????????"
"Shut UP, Sam!"
"Uhm...is Rich here? I'm here to give him his drums lesson.." Lucy said, brandishing a pair of drumsticks.
"You!" Candy cried. "I saw you with Ringo yesterday!"
"RICH!!!" Ringo yelled.
"Yes, well, we were discussing the best date for his next lesson...didn't you know?"
Clint smiled slyly at Ringo. "Ahh, been takin' drum lessons on the sly, eh? Clever..." Sam punched him in the arm jokingly.
"Yer teacher's a cutie, eh, eh?" Sam wiggled his eyebrows mischievously. Ringo waggled a finger in his face.
"Don't even THINK about it." Ringo threatened. Lucy giggled, then quickly grew serious.
"So, if you wouldn't mind..." She opened the door wider, fully entering. Clint and Sam, who was still checking Lucy out (much to Ringo's discomfort), left the room, dragging a protesting Candy behind them. Lucy closed the door behind them with a sigh. As soon as the others were gone, Ringo sprinted in one big leap to pick Lucy up by her waist and whirl her around, laughing.
"Lucy, you're incredible!" He cried, laughing. Lucy smiled brightly. "I know! Uhm...can you put me down now...?" Ringo put her down, hugging her tightly. Lucy smelled the hints of his cologne, sighing. She hoped Ashley was doing as well as she was.

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Alas, she wasn't. Ashley sat forlornly in her chair, peering into the crystal ball. Her eyes were red and puffy, regardless of the fact she had stopped crying an hour ago. She was watching George in his hotel room, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks a second time. George was sitting on the floor, cross-legged, bewildered, shocked, and looking completely lost. Ashley couldn't stand it any longer, so she switched to Paul. He was practicing with 98 Degrees still, so she figured not to bother them. John was signing autographs for a large crowd of fans. With a sigh, Ashley looked in on Ringo. Ringo and Lucy seemed to be having fun. He was twirling her around in the air, laughing about something. Then, he put her down and hugged her.
"Well, at least she's having fun," Ashley said sarcastically. She tossed the crystal ball onto the white leather couch with a sigh. What to do now...

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John stopped in mid-autograph, mouth agape. He quickly finished signing the current one "John Winston," his "real" name. Just then, he heard the others laughing.
"No, he's not; he's just the reincarnate. He what? John!" John quickly made his way over. "Yea?"
"You sonuva...! Quit signing 'John Lennon'!" Lars laughed, punching his arm. John smiled weakly.
"Heh, heh...yea, sorry...couldn't resist. Wanted to see what they would do..." he lied. John breathed a sigh of relief and continued to sign, this time being very careful to sign them all "John Winston". About half an hour later, autographs all signed (and re-signed, to John's chagrin), Metallica made their way back to the concert hall. They made one final run-through of all of their songs, then retreated to the wings of the stage as the fans began to get louder and louder outside the amphitheater doors. As soon as they were off the stage, the floodgates opened. Fans poured in, a dull roar growing in volume as the amphitheater filled to the brim with youths clad in leather, torn t-shirts, and blue jeans. John peeked out through the curtains that had been brought down on the stage, risking a look to the theater floor. Thousands of teenagers were crammed together in to less than two hundred square feet of room. John gasped in sheer awe of the whole situation. He had seen bigger crowds, of course, being a Beatle, but he hadn't toured for quite some time, so he wasn't exactly used to it. Suddenly he saw something rather unsettling.
"Hey! Hey, Lars! Come lookit this!" Lars came trotting over, leaning over John's head to see what was happening.
"Those guys are hurting each other!" To his surprise, Lars just laughed.
"It's called a mosh pit, John. You've not seen one before? They're pretty cool."
"Oh." Was all John could say, staring out at the crowd, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

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George sat. And sat and sat and sat. It was all he could really do, he was so shocked. John was dead...shot. The John who was always there to help him with guitar...the John that first realized he had potential as a guitarist...the John that could be so Goddamn obnoxious but everyone loved him anyway. George didn't know what to do about it; not like he could do anything. Suddenly, he had a sinking feeling in his stomach that weighed on his heart like never before. He had just yelled at Ashley, sweet Ashley who was helping him so much. Tears sprung to his tired eyes as he remembered their little argument; he didn't mean to sound so terrible...he was just so hurt. George knew that Ashley couldn't have done anything to help John; it was probably against some cosmic rule that even angels had to obey.
"Ashley?" He whispered shakily. "Ashley...I'm so sorry...if you're listening, please come back!

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"Hello, my name is Paris D'Jon. And you are?" He was very suave. He annoyed the living hell out of Paul. But Paul smiled and shook his hand. "I hope you are as good as they say you are or else we might have to scrap you. you know, my boys are doing fine on their own." Paul sighed.
"My name is Paul Macca..." he trailed off, not knowing what else to say. The other four rolled their eyes. You could tell they didn't really care.
"Paris, just shut up and listen for God's sake. I think you will like what you hear," Jeff said. They sang "I Do" for the hundredth time that day. Paris nodded his head.
"Good, Good. Can he dance?"
"I suppose," Paul said, annoyed that he addressed the band instead of him.
"Great, okay, wonderful. We expect you in the studio tomorrow, GOT THAT? I don't want any stupid horse shit from any of you, especially you," he said, pointing at Drew.
"Whatever," Drew said dismissing the comment. Paul was just happy he had earned the respect...if you want to call it that.....of the manager.

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Ringo kept playing the drums, even after Lucy left. He had just missed it so much. But, he soon retired for the evening, walking back to the apartment. He was met by an intriguing game of 20 questions.
"Where's she from?"
"How long has she played?"
"Does she live far from here?"
"Well, I think she was STUPID!!!!"
"Shut UP Candy!!" "She is NOT stupid don't EVER say that AGAIN!" Ringo spat at Candy. "She lives all the way across town, she's played too many years to count, and I don't know WHERE she is from!!! I don't know how old she is, I don't know what her blood type is, and I DON'T KNOW IF SHE PREFERS DILL PICKLES OR SWEET PICKLES!!! I don't know if she prefers the term sweet potato or yam, and I don' t know if she knows the difference between the two!!! I don't know if she prefers the cha-cha or the twist, and I don't know if she likes dogs or cats! But I DO KNOW that she is a LUCY and she is a SWEET Lucy and she isn't STUPID!!!!" Ringo said, breathing heavily, stomping out of the room. The other three stood standing.
"Yeah, what he said," Clint said.
"AAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! WHY don't you see what I see?!?!" Candy asked with an exasperated sigh. "HE is RINGO STARR!!!! RINGO STARR IS HE!!!!! HE LIVES IN THE BODY WHICH IS UNDENIABLY IDENTICAL TO RINGO STARR'S!!!!!!!!!!!" They stared at her, taking in her sudden outburst.
"Who?" Sam asked.
"Who is Ringo Starr?" Clint asked, confused.
"THE BEATLES!!!! You remember them, right? REMEMBER? SHE LOVES YOU YAH YAH YAH?!?! I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND?!?! Who ARE you people?!" she stomped out of the room. Clint and Sam looked at each other.
"I thought Keith Moon was the drummer in the Beatles," Sam said.

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John couldn't take his eyes off the crowd. It had been so long...too long. He went to meet the rest of the band.
"Ready?" they asked. John inhaled slowly, trying to break his nervousness.
"Okay..." John said.
"It's gonna be good. Don't worry about it."
"I-I just haven't played in front of a crowd...especially a crowd this big, for so long," John said, actually talking to himself.
"Well, we gotta go out there now....so let's go!" James said.
"1....2.....3..." and they all ran out. There was still a curtain up so no one could see. But John looked over at James to see his nod. When the signal came, they burst into song. The curtain dropped, and the crowd appeared. They were loud and boisterous, but John didn't care. He was excited for everyone in the whole theatre, including himself. The band was energetic. They were really playing well, better than John had ever heard. The crowd was jumping, and the mosh pit just got even more interesting by the minute. However, he did see something interesting. He saw a girl. A girl jumping up and down right behind the mosh pit. Then he saw the girl get in the mosh pit. And he saw the crowd lift her up. She waved at John and laughed. John smiled to himself as he played his guitar.
"Lucy, you are crazy," he thought to himself. "Absolutely mad!" She smiled at him and winked.
"NEW YORK!!!!" James yelled in his microphone. That was another thing John found intriguing. The microphones were truly a work of art. And so was the equipment. John was really impressed with the amps. As Kirk had put it earlier,
"Those are the SHIT," whatever that meant. They played lots of songs, a couple of which John didn't know well, but he gritted his teeth and played through it. James stopped to say a few words to the crowd, which was barely audible from their yelling. It was a different kind of concert than John was used to, but it was a nice change. At least it was basically men....although, there were some women there. And mostly women....not many teenagers. And if there were teenagers...they weren't screaming high pitched screams that tore up eardrums. He sighed to himself. He could get used to this really fast.

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"WHOO!!!!" Lucy said walking into the room she shared with Ashley. "This has been the BEST day! Ringo and I got closer, and I went to a Metallica concert! It just keeps getting better and better!!" She said to herself, opening up the refrigerator and taking out a rare treat- Mt. Dew!!!! "Hey, I deserve it," she told herself, taking a swig. She hated the fact that Messenger angels couldn't drink a lot of Mountain Dew for fear of hyperness. "Well, the Superior Angels will have to get over it."
"I've failed.." she heard a faint whisper. She cocked her head to the side and went over to the bed, but she didn't see anyone. She thought that that was a little strange.
"I can't believe that I've failed..." She heard again. She looked to the side of the bed to see Ashley laying there with a note.
"What's wrong?" Lucy asked, suddenly concerned.
"I'VE FAILED!!!!" Ashley yelled, holding the note in front on Lucy's face. It was from the Superior Angel government *keeping peace throughout the universe*

"I have an offence!!! you think the Superior Angels will let me up into the ultimate part of Heaven when I have an offence against me? THIS IS MY SECOND DEATH SENTENCE!!!! Don't you get it? They are going to send me to HELL!!!!" Ashley cried, ripping her notice up.
"Ashley!!! Pull yourself together!!! You aren't going to hell!!! You are a long way from going to hell! And you haven't failed!!"
"Yes I have....it may not say that, but I have. I-I let my temper slip...I yelled at GEORGE!!! GEORGE! How...how could I have done something so foolish?" Ashley asked quietly. "How could I let my temper get in the way of my heart? A heart that doesn't EXIST ANYMORE! Because I am DEAD! And what he said to me....it just...it hurt me so much. Like I think death is a funny joke....why? Why would he do that to me, Lucy? WHY would he do that to me?" She asked. "Why does it hurt so much?" Lucy shook her head.
"I don't know." The crystal ball that sat on the bed showed George.
"Look, he's calling you, Ashley." Whenever a mortal called on an angel, their voice was always imbedded in the angels head.
"Why did he hurt me so bad? And why do I love him so much?"

~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~

"Ashley...please come back! Come BACK!!!" he yelled at the ceiling. "I...I need you! I need you to come back and talk to me, Oh God, I'm sorry Ashley, I'm sorry!" He shook his head when nothing happened. He sat for ten more minutes before Ashley finally came. She was still mildly hysterical, but Lucy had talked her into going. She showed up sitting on the floor across from George.
"Oh Ashley, I-"
"Because of you, I have an offence. Imagine that, an offence in Heaven. I am an offence away from getting my angel license revoked. Is that what you wanted? Are you happy now? You know, a couple more things like this, and I will go to the equivalent of prison here. It's called HELL!" Ashley said quietly. "I keep doing this and I've got a one way ticket to Hell. So, I've come to apologize for whatever it is that I've done...whatever pain I have afflicted upon you. I'd appreciate it if you would please forgive me, because I am so sorry for being a dumb ass and hurting you, and-" she was cut off by George leaning in and kissing her.
"Mmmmm." Ashley tried to complain but couldn't....and didn't want to. When they broke apart, Ashley looked down, not wanting to meet George's eyes.
"I don't want anything to happen to you. I don't want your license revoked, and I don't want to see you hurt, and I don't want you to go to Hell. I want you to stay just the way you are and I don't blame you for anything. I just want you to be you. This is all my fault...and I am sorry, I shouldn't have reacted like that. But my relationship with you is the most important thing that I have right now. You are my only friend, and I need you. I don't think I can do this without you, and I don't want to try." Ashley nodded, not wanting to look up. George raised her chin. "I don't want anything to happen." Ashley nodded, feeling somewhat relieved and happy, not realizing that another rule of the Angel Rights had just been broken.

~~**~~**Chapter 5~~**~~
~~**~~**index**~~**~~

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