He knew the penalty for his actions and he held no regret for what he'd done but still fear of losing all he's ever known, all he's ever been gripped his heart in a moment of panic.

"You are making a mistake!" he cried but there was no one to hear.

His fate now sealed, pain tore through him as he was stripped of all his heavenly grace his body felt broken, his wings severed, his soul plummeted into deep darkness and as he felt himself fall he watched as the only home he knew faded from view.

Gavin had no idea how long he'd been lying there or where there was, but for the first time, he felt the cold and shivered as the wetness of rain pelted his face. He slowly rose to his feet, and in a moment of disorientation chose to unfurl his wings only to be buckled to his knees in agony.

It was night and there seemed very few signs of life. He was outside of some storefront long since abandoned. The dark windows showing his reflection, his pained expression. He had worn this form before, many times to walk among them, now it would be his for eternity. He gingerly lifted his shirt to see his back not knowing what to expect, the pain was tremendous but the only visible sign his wings were ever there were two silvery scars where his wings once gloriously sprouted from his body.

This body felt weak, almost fragile and he slid down the wall and back onto the concrete slab of pavement needing a moment to regain some strength. A passerby threw some bills on his lap as he walked passed and Gavin would have laughed if he had the ability. The irony of having gone from one of God's elite to a bum on the street was not lost on him knowing the Lord's sense of humor.

Time felt much slower here, he had no concept of it before. He walked what felt like hours until exhausted he stopped to take in his surroundings. The only source of light came from a garish looking sign promoting some diner off of the dark deserted highway.

Oddly enough the place was bustling with life, truckers mostly because there wasn't a town in sight for miles. Gavin sat his tired body into an empty table. The waitress immediately appeared, smiling warmly at him. She took in his disheveled appearance and tousled hair and wondered if he'd been ruffled up a bit but didn't pry.

Instead, pulling a pencil from behind her ear she asked gently, "There anything I can get you?"

Gavin tore his gaze from the window and watching the rain. Sighing, he closed his eyes briefly as if the sight of her caused him pain before shaking his head no in response.

She smiled again before saying, "How about I bring you some coffee?" Refusing to take no for an answer.

Gavin shrugged unconcerned and proceeded to stare out the window. He didn't care what the woman did so long as she'd stop smiling at him like that. Her smile was beautiful but it reminded him too much of another smile, one that was warm and inviting.

He'd been a fool. What did he expect? He knew the consequences of his actions and yet deliberately disobeyed. What was wrong with him? Carissa wasn't his first assignment. He never let his feelings interfere before, but perhaps that was because he'd never been in love before.

He watched the droplets of rain streak the window transfixed. The droplets transforming into tears that streamed down a beautiful face. He remembered those tears, and he knew he caused them but he did not regret the choice he made. He had done it to protect her, to keep her safe.

The waitress placed a fresh cup of coffee down in front of him interrupting his thoughts. He grimaced slightly as he stared into the dark abyss contained within the white ceramic. She waited expectantly for a moment before realizing he wasn't even aware of her presence and so left to wait on someone else.

Gavin wrapped his hands around the mug hoping the warmth could thaw the chill he felt take hold of his heart. It wasn't her fault. She didn't even know he existed, Gavin admitted thinking of Carissa again. He took a sip and felt the hot liquid burn as it slid down his throat. It felt like nothing, nothing in comparison to the hatred that burned for the man that tried to harm her.

Suddenly restless he threw some money on the table and made for the door. The realization he could never go back tore into him as looked up into the night sky, his vision blurred by the rain. It hurt to know he couldn't go home but his heart ached for something else. "I'm sorry," he said into the darkness. "I'm sorry. I disobeyed you, but I'm not sorry that I love her." He kicked an empty bottle into the street, the sky lit up with lightning and the thunder rumbled the earth beneath his feet.

There was no one to blame. He was the cause of his own grief. As Carissa's guardian he swore to watch over and protect her, and watch her he did. With each passing day, his love for her grew, such a beautiful soul she brought light to wherever she would go. Her thoughtfulness of others had no bounds from the children she taught, to a stranger on the street, she loved them all, she made him proud, and then she met a man.

There were boundaries and limitations to being a guardian. Gavin knew he was not permitted to interfere. It tore him apart to have to watch them together, but that wasn't why he'd done what he did. The man changed, he became hard, cold, and cruel. Gavin knew her one flaw, her never-ending doubt of herself and her abilities. This man knew it too and enjoyed playing mind games, watching her squirm under his scrutiny. He never laid a hand on her, but the damage he inflicted with his cutting criticisms and snide remarks were starting to take their toll. Carissa came to doubt the very person Gavin had come to love, trying desperately to change into someone this man would approve of. Gavin refused to watch her spirit die.

Gavin had connections. He knew it was wrong but couldn't care. He had to keep her safe. The man was offered a job, across the country, an offer too good to refuse. He took it. Gavin knew he would. Left Carissa without even glancing back.

She watched him until he disappeared from view. Gavin watched her as her tears fell for a man that turned his back on the best thing that had ever happened to him. Gavin knew she hurt, that he was the cause of her pain but she was strong and she'd heal. Someday she'd realize that.

Caught now, he had fallen from grace. Forfeited his life. He was now forsaken and alone. Another second clap of thunder roared and then a third, which sounded closer, then the last. It became clear that the third sound wasn't thundering at all but a car that was moaning in protest as it struggled up the hill, until finally with one departing backfired shot it ceased to move. Gavin shielded his eyes from the blinding headlights.

"Damn it!" he heard someone swear as he approached.

"You okay?" he hollered to the occupant.

"Not unless you can perform resurrections," came the mumbled reply.

"Pop the hood. I'll take a look."

What was she thinking? She knew her car would not survive this trip, but she had to get away. She couldn't stand being there anymore, everywhere she went, and everything she looked at reminded her of him. When she got a letter about a teacher symposium she leaped at the chance to get away. She should have ponied up for the rental now she was at the mercy of a stranger. She just about had all she could take. She popped the hood.

He had hoped the problem would be obvious but it wasn't and he hadn't a clue. He, however, felt compelled to help. It was who he was and he will always be. Upon hearing the driver's door open, he thought the woman too trusting. "Don't get out," he reprimanded and then in a softer tone added, "There's no use in both of us getting wet." She ignored his advice and approached the front of the car.

In normal circumstances, she would have been frightened, but she trusted something in his voice. She could barely make out his profile. His jaw was hard and his gaze intense as he puzzled over the problem. "Do you think it can be fixed?" she asked.

"Honestly," Gavin answered, "I have no idea. I'll walk you across the street so you can make a phone call and buy you a cup of coffee if you like?"

The woman laughed. "You must be my guardian angel," she said breezily. Her words brought Gavin a moment of intense pain that gripped his heart making it difficult to breathe. "Right about now coffee sounds heavenly," she told him. "I'm Carissa by the way," she added as a second thought extending her hand.

Closing the hood, Gavin looked up dumbstruck. Taking her hand in his, he was greeted with the heart-melting smile he knew so well. She was even more beautiful then he remembered. "Gavin," was all he could manage to say as he shook her hand.

Side by side they walked together to the diner. "I'm a firm believer we're not given more than we can handle but I can't help feeling I'm being tested," Carissa said shaking her head at her own thoughts. Why she even said it was beyond her reasoning.

Reacting to his silence, Carissa stole a glance at her new companion. His face was contorted into a frown and she suddenly didn't feel alone. He seemed in no better shape than she did and still he tried to help her. Her heart warmed to him as he held the door for her.

"The payphone is over there," Gavin said pointing to the far corner. "Thanks," Carissa said and made her way through the crowd. Gavin watched her, fearful to allow her completely out of his sight, afraid she may disappear. He returned to the table he had been sitting in previously, it was still open but had been wiped clean.

Carissa is really here. Gavin knew he'd been forgiven. His heart so overjoyed, although he knew he looked insane, he couldn't refrain from smiling. He ordered their coffee and waited for Carissa to return.

"The tow truck will be here in an hour. Which I expect means in two to three hours," she said sliding in the chair across from him.

"Well lucky for you I've got nothing planned for the next four or five," Gavin said flashing her a devastating smile.

Her breath caught in her throat and her hands instinctively grabbed for the coffee before her grateful for the distraction. Gavin watched her intently over the rim of his mug, grinning. Shyly, she smiled back.

He'd been gifted with another chance and this time there are no rules. Although he did make himself a promise, if she'll have him, he'd spend the rest of her life making sure she'd never have reason to cry again.