The loud music had started the night of the dust-up with the twins.  It had played well after midnight, much to the chagrin of everyone in the household. 

Despite the lack of sleep, Ed awoke at 5:30 on Thursday morning.  He desperately needed coffee.  He set a gentle kiss on Steve's cheek then got out of bed and headed to the kitchen.  When he looked outside the window, he saw Karl slumped in a chair.  Alarmed, Ed hurried out to him.

"Karl... what's wrong?"

"No birds...  Tawera says they don't want to come 'round any more tween the music and the beeping."

"Beeping?"

Karl nodded.

"Idjits next door installed one of those pest control beepin' thingies.  Birds can 'ear it."

Ed frowned.

"I'm sorry, mate.  We'll figure something out, eh?"

"Hope so..."

Ed patted his shoulder.

"We will," he promised.  "How about some coffee?"

"I spose."

Ed steered the dejected man inside and served him some coffee.  They were each on their second cups when Steve appeared.

"You're up early!  I feel like I could have done with a couple more hours..."

Ed rose and prepared Steve's coffee for him.

"Birds are gone," Karl reported.

"What?  How?"

Karl explained.

"Oh, Karl...  I'm so sorry," Steve apologized.  "I shouldn't have antagonized them."

"They started it," Ed reminded.  He handed Steve his coffee.

"Thank you, darling.  And, yes, they did.  But I ought not to have punched Chad."

Karl laughed.

"I saw 'im yesterday.  Looks a sight.  All purple an' green 'bout the eye."

Steve grimaced.

"Well, one should never embrace violence but..."

"No need to use any more violence," Ed interrupted, a sudden thought occurring to him.  "I could take care of them."

"Ed..."

"I could go invisible... sneak into their house..."

"Ed..." Steve repeated.  "I... I know what that did to you last time."

Ed shook his head.

"No, no.  Not like that.  I won't get into their heads at all.  Just... move some things around.  Make them think the place is haunted.  Maybe they'd leave.  I mean... not like they'd be homeless.  They have another house.  Maybe more."

Karl cackled.

"I love it!  Let 'im do it, cap'ain!"

"I don't know..."  Steve eyed Ed.

"I won't harm them," Ed stressed.  "But if their keys end up in the freezer...  Serves them right."

Karl continued to laugh.

Steve sighed.

"Well, yes... it would.  If you're sure it won't make things difficult for you..."

Ed grinned.

"Won't.  Sounds like fun, actually.  I mean... really... what's the point of having a demon for a boyfriend if you can't profit from a haunting now and again?"

Steve chuckled.

"Well, I can think of several points but... okay.  Let's do it."


Ed had started with the keys in the freezer.  Then he had stashed a cell phone in the dishwasher.  One night, he turned every shirt in Niles' closet inside out.  The following night, all of Chad's trousers received the same treatment.  He spelled out "HELLO" with sugar on the kitchen counter.  On Tuesday night he'd picked up a globe and bobbed it around in the air.  Chad and Niles had run screaming from the house and jetted off into the night. 

They didn't return on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, Demi-John came tearing onto the patio where Ed and Steve were enjoying their coffee.

"A moving truck pulled up next door!"

Ed and Steve exchanged smiles.

"They're loading things up!"

"How lovely..." Steve murmured.

Ed could only laugh.


"Oh...  A moving truck.  Looks like we're getting new neighbors," Steve observed.

"I hope they're better than the last ones," Rocky muttered.

"How could they not be?" Lucky replied.

Ed approached the front window and peered out. 

Two men hopped out of the truck and made a beeline to a flag pole.  The Union Jack that Niles and Chad had left behind came down.

Ed and Steve watched with great interest as another flag went up.

As the flag reached the top of the pole, their new neighbors tied it in place then embraced and peered up at the rainbow fluttering above them.

Ed and Steve dissolved into laughter. 

Curious, Lucky leaped up from the couch and joined them at the window.

"Oh... and they're cute, too!"

That was enough to pique Rocky's interest and he hurried over.

"We should talk to Ant.  Ask him about making a welcome basket of goodies for them," Steve suggested.

"Definitely," Ed agreed.

He and Steve beamed at each other, confident that all would be well on their little block.


Since Steve was still being exceptionally careful about when he went out and where, the decision had been made to celebrate his and Ed's second anniversary with a barbecue in the backyard.  Patrick and Craig and Ihsan and Fitz were in attendance along with Paulie and Jake, their new neighbors and fast friends.  Maren and her family had also made the trek to celebrate.

Steve was admiring Ed working behind the grill in his cute, floral apron when Maren plopped down into the chair beside his.

"It's so hard for me to believe it's only been two years!  You and Ed... you just fit.  Seems like you've been together for years and years."

Steve beamed.

"Thank you.  When we invited Paulie and Jake, they thought we meant we'd been married for two years but together for much longer."

"He loves you so much, Steve.  I'm so happy for you."  Maren kissed his cheek. 

"Thank you.  And... it's definitely mutual."

"Oh, honey... I can tell," Maren assured with a smile.

They sat together in companionable silence for several moments before Steve looked over and noticed that Maren was chewing her bottom lip.

"Something on your mind?"

"A bit, yeah..."

"Is everything all right with you, Dan, and the kids?"  Steve looked to where Annie and Lance were playing with Kiri.

"Oh yeah.  Everything's great.  It's just... when I ran to the dairy on Saturday to grab some snacks for the car trip... I saw your mom.  I was hoping she wouldn't recognize me with my mask but well..."

"Oh..."  Steve bowed his head.  He hadn't heard a single word from his parents since he'd been sick.  And he knew Ollie had notified them.

"She... well, she asked how you were doing.  And just the way she asked...  Like you were my second cousin who twisted his ankle!  I told her you were fine.  But something just broke in me and I started screaming at her.  I told her that you'd coded and it was a miracle you were even alive and that if she was so curious she coulda picked up the damn phone and spoken to her only child.  Also told her that your boyfriend was smoking hot and that I hoped you had mind-blowing sex every night."

"Oh my..."

"I know... I know.  I shouldn't have said that last bit but she just made me so bloody angry.  I wanted to see her squirm."  Maren looked with tenderness at Annie and Lance.  "I just can't understand a mother being so... so cruel.  I'm sorry, Steve... for her.  But also if I caused any trouble."

Steve squeezed her hand.

"I don't care if you did cause trouble, Maren.  It... it just feels good to know that someone's mom stood up for me."

Maren squeezed his hand back.

"I'm always here for you.  And so's he."  She waved to Ed.

Ed smiled, handed the barbecue tongs to Ant, and joined them.

"What's this then?" he asked.

Steve smiled.

"Oh... Maren was just telling me a delightful story about her going off on my homophobic mother in the dairy.  She told her I have a smoking hot boyfriend."

"Do you..."  Ed settled on the arm of Steve's chair and stretched his legs across his lap.

Steve patted Ed's knees affectionately.

"She also told her she hoped we had mind-blowing sex.  Exact words."

Ed howled with laughter.

"Good God, woman!  Were you trying to murder her?"

Maren grinned.

"Maybe a bit."

"Well... it wasn't quite true.  But the whole thing's been rather mind-blowing in the best of ways."  Steve beamed at Ed who bent down to kiss his brow.

"That it has been, love," Ed agreed.  He sat up and grinned at Maren.  "Just don't ever let me piss her off.  Might murder me."

"Don't give me reason to and I won't," Maren teased before taking out her cell and snapping a photo of the couple.  "Hmm...  May have to paint that later."

Ed rested his chin on Steve's hair and smiled as Maren showed off the photo.

"Text it to me, will you?" Steve requested.  "I'd love it for our scrapbook."

"Happily."

"You're working on a scrapbook for us?" Ed asked.

"Mmm hmm.  Since someone had the bright idea of introducing a chore wheel..." Steve shot a sly glance at his boyfriend.  "And I've got some extra time on my hands, I thought I would."

"Aww...  Love that."

Steve gave Ed a squeeze then looked around happily at their little party and sighed with contentment.


Naturally, Ed and Steve had to dance to "The Chain" as the celebration continued into the night.  But as the song ended, Lars and Baptiste settled into chairs facing the happy couple.  Baptiste began to pluck at his guitar.

"Oh..."  Tears filled Ed's eyes.  "They sang this song to you when you were sleeping," he whispered to Steve.  "I... I wished I could have danced with you to it."

Steve smiled gratefully at Lars and Baptiste then cradled Ed's face in his hands.

"No time like the present, darling."

Arms around each other, the two danced in the moonlight as their loved ones looked on with friendship and love.


As the last few notes played, the two kissed while their friends cheered for them.


Ed awoke to the sensation of Steve gently carding his fingers through his hair.  He let out a soft sigh then kissed Steve's neck and nuzzled closer.

"Big day," Steve murmured.  "But you don't have to if you don't want..."

Ed sat up, kissed his boyfriend, then shook his head.

"No, no.  I do.  I've missed Fitz and Ihsan and all the animals.  Time to get back to work.  But..."  He kissed Steve again.  "I'll miss you."

"And I'll miss you, darling...  But I'll be there for morning tea."

"Steve..."

"It'll be good for me to get a little exercise!  And... I am going a bit stir crazy.  I would love to get out.  We can drink it outside.  I'll wear a mask the whole time.  Well, obviously not when we're sipping tea.  But I'll only be with you then."

Ed bit his lip and considered.  Then he looked down at Steve's pleading gaze and laughed.  Like he'd be able to deny him.

"All right...  Then I'll look forward to it."

Ed groaned slightly as he got up.  Sometimes he wished he'd been created in a younger body... maybe something like 32.  But then Steve moved behind him, pushed his hair away from the back of his neck, and planted soft kisses there.  Ed smiled as he leaned back.

No... he was perfectly happy with the body he had.


"And Ant's just been absolutely abuzz all morning," Steve reported between sips of tea.  He and Ed were seated together on a bench behind Fangs, Fins, and Friends, watching some of the dogs run about in the yard.

"Hmm, why?"

"That cousin, you know?  The one who got cast in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar... Loreena, isn't it?"

Ed nodded.

"She got invited to brunch with the director and his wife yesterday.  And the fellow playing Jesus was there.  So she was thrilled and, of course, Ant was thrilled for her.  They've both landed on their feet since being rejected by their family."

"Glad for our Ant, of course.  But also the girl.  Must mean a lot.  The Christians, by and large, haven't exactly been accepting of gender diverse people."  Ed frowned.  "We ran into that... when the Europeans came.  So much of their religion grabbed the people's imaginations.  But they didn't know what to do with the whakawahine and whakatane.  Got ugly sometimes."

Steve gently stroked Ed's back.

"Glad Loreena found a good group."

"Me too."  Steve chuckled.  "Needless to say...  Jesus Christ Superstar has been blasting through the house nearly since you left which is very interesting for me.  My parents thought it was sent straight from the Devil."

Ed laughed.

"Trust me.  He wouldn't trouble himself with something like that."

"No, I see now that he wouldn't.  I've seen the show performed since.  Quite sympathetic.  And... it has some bangers, as the kids say."

Still laughing, Ed kissed Steve's hair.

"Bangers...  God, I love you, Steve."

"I love you, too, darling."

Steve slid closer and rested his head on Ed's shoulder.

Ed gave a contented sigh before making a strangled noise and jumping up.

"Oi!  Chester, move away!" he shouted at a dog.  "Cassie's not into you.  Consent is important, mate.  Don't make me come in there, young man!"

Steve giggled.

"It is important," he agreed.  "So glad you impress that upon the dogs."

Ed grinned then reclaimed his seat beside Steve.

"May I kiss you?"

"Absolutely."

So they did.


Steve was preparing coffee... and sneaking peeks at Ed as he enjoyed some shirtless sunbathing in the backyard... when he heard someone thundering down the stairs.

Ant hurried into the kitchen, a wide grin on his face.

"Look at the photo my cousin sent me!"

Steve accepted the phone that Ant thrust towards him.

"Oh, Ant...  That's lovely!  She looks absolutely radiant.  And they've got a very good Jesus.  I like him.  He looks gentle but strong.  Accurate looking, too."

The screen door opened and Ed stepped inside.

"Whacha looking at?"

"My cousin sent a photo of herself and the man playing Jesus."

Ed grunted.

"Let me guess.  White boy with blonde hair?  No offense," he added when Steve cast him a look.

Steve chuckled.

"None taken.  I'm very aware I don't look like a Middle-Eastern Jewish man.  But no.  This fellow is actually..."

Ant handed Ed his phone.

Ed peered at the image then stumbled back into the door.  His head shook wildly.

"Ed...  Ed...  What's wrong, darling?"

Ant grabbed his phone before Ed had a chance to drop it.

Steve wrapped an arm around Ed's shoulders.

"That's... him."

"Who?"

"That... not an actor.  Him," Ed choked out.

Steve blinked.

"Ed, surely not..."

"That's Joshua!" Ed cried, pointing towards Ant's phone.

Ant's eyes went wide.

"Darling, are you sure?  Possibly he just looks a great deal like..."

"With the same bloody birthmark!?"

"Birthmark?"

Ant looked at the photo. 

"Oh, yeah.  I see a birthmark.  There."  He held the phone out for Steve's inspection.

"Ed...  Why would he..."

"I... I don't know!  He's always had crazy schemes going!  I mean... good schemes," Ed clarified.  "But this..."

"I should tell my cousin!"

"No!" Ed bellowed.  "If she doesn't know... he doesn't mean for her to know.  At least not yet."

Ant shrugged.

"Okay.  But... this is good, right?  You know where Jes... Joshua is.  I mean..."  He scrolled through some text messages.  "The show runs up til Easter.  That gives you time.  You could get to New York City by then, couldn't you?"

"It's so expensive..." Ed murmured.

Steve gripped him by the shoulders.

"Ant is absolutely right.  I don't care if we have to drain my savings.  We're going.  We're going there and we're going to speak to him."

"Steve, I..."

"Ed...  When will we have another chance like this?  And you said he schemes... maybe this is one!  What are the odds?  One of the cast members has a cousin halfway around the world who just happens to live with us!"

Ant smiled and waved when Steve gestured towards him.

"Yeah... that's something," Ed admitted.  Tears welled in his eyes.

Steve patted his cheek.

"It'll be all right, darling.  It really will!"  He hugged him tightly then embraced Ant.  "Ant... thank you!  This... this is huge!"

"Didn't do anything but brag about my cousin but... you're welcome."

Steve smiled at him then turned back to Ed.

"Once Jess is up, I'll speak to them.  See what we can figure out money-wise.  But we will figure it out."

"I could do a bake sale," Ant offered.

Ed gave him an appreciative, teary smile.

"Thanks, mate.  We... we'll see.  But thanks."

Steve embraced him again and pressed a kiss into his hair.

"Now...  Let's have some coffee.  Get our heads on straight... and figure this out!"

Buoyed by Steve's confidence, Ed nodded.

"O-okay..."

Steve beamed then went to fetch his laptop so they could start pricing things out.


Steve slept restlessly.  How was one supposed to sleep peacefully when they'd just learned Jesus Christ was back on Earth...

And Steve's future... and more importantly Ed's... rested on their ability to make peace with him.

A demon and a gay man... confronting the Son of God.

Ed's absence from their bed suggested he, too, was battling insomnia.

Steve's throat felt scratchy... probably from crying himself to sleep.  Ed had been weepy and it'd been catching.  He got up and headed to the kitchen in search of something to drink.  Or maybe an ice block.  As Steve neared the kitchen, he heard clicking.  He wasn't entirely surprised to find Ed sitting at the table, open laptop in front of him.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hey."

Steve approached and squeezed Ed's shoulder.

"What are you..."

Steve stopped when he saw Ed was on Facebook, clicking through a photo album.

"They have a page.  The theatre, I mean.  Look..."

Ed pointed to a photo of Jesus... Joshua... in a chair.  A blonde woman was crouching behind him, her arms around his shoulders. 

Steve's eyes went wide.

"Oh God... he doesn't... he's not got a girlfriend, does he?"

Ed began to choke on the tea he'd been sipping.

"No!"  He scrunched his nose is disgust.  "Gross...  No, that's his make-up artist.  JenniAnn, it says.  And if I'm remembering correctly..."  He navigated to another photo and pointed.  "Look.  A note in the program from the director from a previous production."

Steve sat down and read where Ed was pointing.

"'JenniAnn, I love you more every day.  Thank you for being part of this with me.'  Ah.  So she's the director's girlfriend... wife.  Something."

"Something.  And the director..."  Ed opened another photo.  "Is Andrew.  The Andrew.  An angel of death.  The one..."  He tapped the floor.  "Is afraid of.  And those two... they've spent years working with Him on this.  He's put a lot of trust in them.  So...  When we get there, we go through her.  JenniAnn."

Steve blinked at the photograph of Jesus and the woman that Ed had re-opened.

"We can't just... go to him directly?"

"Do you feel comfortable with that?  Because I don't.  I'm a demon, Steve!  I rejected him!  But her... she's probably like some sort of modern day apostle or something."

"So he'd be more apt to listen to her?"

"I would think so.  This Andrew guy, too."

Steve tilted his head.

"She has kind eyes."

"Yeah.  She does." 

"And so... so she's in a relationship with an angel.  So she might... understand us, take pity on us," Steve continued.

"Might...  Probably would," Ed corrected when he felt Steve tense.

"We have to try."

Ed brought Steve's hand to his lips.

"We do, love."

Steve sat down.

"Can you show me the photos?  I think it might calm my nerves to see who these people are."

"Sure.  There are clips, too.  I've looked at everything.  You go ahead.  I'll get you something to drink.  Your throat sounds scratchy."  Ed put his hand on Steve's forehead.  "No fever at least."

"I'm fine, darling.  But thank you.  That would be nice."

Ed moved away to make some tea with honey.  The ritual of it helped calm him.

"And how are we going to make contact with her?" Steve called.

"Still working on that."

"Hmm.  They look like they have fun."

"They do."

"He also... Jes... Joshua... he looks kind, too."

Ed swallowed a lump in his throat.

"He... he is."

Steve met Ed's teary gaze for a moment.  Right then, he vowed to himself that he would put his worries aside.  They would try this.  Because Ed had to be safe.  He couldn't return to Hell.  Ever.

After a few moments, Ed returned with the tea.

"Mmm...  Wonderful, thank you," Steve praised after a sip. 

"Welcome."

Ed let his head loll onto Steve's shoulder as they watched a clip of "Hosanna" together.


Jess frowned as they typed on their laptop.

"So... between airfare and hotel... we're looking at around $7,000 for you both to go," they reported.  "It's... a lot.  But you do have it in your retirement account, Steve."

"Then I want to take it out.  I don't care if there's a penalty!"

"Maybe just take enough out to pay for the tickets?" Ed suggested.  "Those are the most pressing.  We have a little over a month.  I'll take on extra shifts at the shelter, if I can.  To cover the hotel and incidentals."

"No," Jess replied.

"No?" Steve repeated, aghast.

"I mean, sure, take on extra shifts if you want, Ed.  For spending money maybe.  But... no one wants you exhausting yourself.  You've both put a lot into this house.  We all need to give back now.  I've spoken to Ollie and we'll cover $2,000."

"Absolutely not!"

"No way.  This is our choice and we should pay for..."

"It's too late," Jess cut them both off.  "We already transferred it into your savings account, Steve." 

"Jess..."  Tears welled in Steve's eyes.

Ed sniffled.

"And Ollie's talked to the guys.  Ant already mentioned a bake sale.  Everyone else has agreed to put in extra time making soap.  Whatever we get above the usual amount needed to fund the house... you'll take," Jess informed.  "I'll take only enough out of Steve's account to cover the airfare, like Ed said.  I think we can get the rest covered.  We've sent word to some of the old guys, too.  They want to help."

"Jess..." Steve repeated.  "I... I don't know what to say."

"You reap what you sow, captain.  Seven years ago you took a chance on a couple of disheveled weirdos who wandering out of a hostel and applied for jobs they definitely didn't have proper qualifications for.  You gave us a home.  And you did it again and again with all the others.  Now we want to help you.  And you..."  Jess shifted their focus to Ed whose head was bowed as he softly cried.  "When you first told us your story... Ollie and I agreed that we'd do what we could to free you.  We love it here, Ed.  Aotearoa is our home.  It's where we were truly welcomed.  We owe it to your people to get them their angel back.  And, like I've said before, I don't want to deal with an Ed-less Steve."

Steve and Ed both laughed through their tears.

"Now..."  Jess stood and held their arms aloft.  "This isn't really my thing but... bring it in."

The three shared a group hug with Ed and Steve continuing to murmur thank yous.


True to their word, the men had put their all into making soap over the next two weeks.  Additionally, Ant had devoted several hours a day to baking and making candies.  All hands were on deck as they manned two tables at a farmer's market.

Despite the nerves he'd been feeling as their departure date approached, Ed was happy as he buzzed about from table to table, lending a hand where it was needed.

And then he saw him.

Iggy.

"Ed... what's wrong?" Steve asked when he noticed his boyfriend was staring across the street, his jaw set in a stony grimace.

"Iggy...  I see him over there.  Staring at us."

"Oh Ed..."

"We... we're so close.  I... I'm not letting him..."

"Darling!" Steve cried out as Ed tore across the street.

He was halfway there when he realized Iggy no longer seemed to be staring at him... but through him. 

Nonetheless, Ed continued walking until he was standing directly in front of the demon.

"What are you doing here?" Ed hissed.

"Damn it, Edgar...  Where the hell did you go?" Iggy asked, irritation evident in his voice as he continued to stare across the street.

Ed stepped back in surprise.

"Damn it all!" Iggy shouted, still ignoring Ed.

Then he was gone.

Shaken, Ed made his way back to an anxious Steve.

"What happened?"

Ed shook his head, trying to make sense of it.

"Nothing...  He...  It was like he couldn't see me.  Couldn't sense me.  Then he cursed... and disappeared.  It... makes no sense."

Steve gently stroked Ed's back.

"That is... odd.  But it's good isn't it?"

"I... I think so?"

"Everything all right over here?" Ollie asked as he approached with Jess at his side.

"You look like you've seen a ghost, Ed," Jess added.

"I... feel like I am a ghost.  Sort of."

Steve gave him an affectionate squeeze.

"He saw Iggy... but Iggy seemed unable to see or sense him."

Ollie blinked in surprise but then he smiled.

"It's like from Psalm 27.  'For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.'  You were hidden, Ed.  By God, I assume.  Maybe have been since the last time we had run-ins with them."

"There you go!  Makes sense to me!" Jess affirmed.

"You think?" Ed asked, wide-eyed.

Steve gave him a wide smile and nodded.

"I think that makes perfect sense.  And that used to be one of my favorite verses."

Ed smiled, touched by the idea.  It gave him more hope that all of this was God's plan... that he and Steve were meant to go meet Joshua. 

"Thank you.  I feel better.  I... yes, I think that may be it, Ollie.  Thank you."

Ollie patted Ed on the back.

"Good.  Now...  We just sold a case of soap to a lady.  Wanna help me haul it to her car?"

Ed smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, sure.  Sounds good."

Steve smiled after them as they walked away.

"It would be so wonderful if he didn't have to worry about that Iggy fellow any more," he mused aloud to Jess.

"I hope he doesn't come around any more.  But if he does... I got a knife waiting for him."

Steve's eyes grew wide but Jess only smiled confidently and walked away.


"Darling... are you still up?"

"Mmm hmm."

Steve snuggled up against Ed, spooning him.

"Are you worried about tomorrow?"

"Less about tomorrow.  More about when we actually talk to her.  To JenniAnn."

"Well... we'll have a few days to observe.  Maybe even figure out a different plan.  But if it is her... I think it's a mark in our favor that she seems to enjoy the company of well-built, long-haired men of a supernatural bend."

Ed chuckled and twisted around to face Steve.

"Not trying to seduce her, mate."

Steve smiled and brushed some hair from Ed's face.

"Of course not.  I'd be quite jealous if you did.  But people tend to be more sympathetic of people who remind them of themselves or loved ones."

"That's true."

"And if she absolutely won't help us...  Well... there's always the option of going right up to Joshua a-and pleading our cases ourselves.  I know it's not what you'd prefer... but it is an option."

"Spose."

"All I'm saying is that whatever happens... it'll be you and me.  Together.  We've overcome so much, darling.  We'll get through this, too.  Although..."

"Although?"

"I am very much starting to regret our decision to get a room with two twin beds..."

Ed squeezed Steve's hand when it rested over his heart.

"Me too, love.  But... I just want to make the best impression... if he should happen to come over or anything.  Never exactly knew what was allowed."

"I know.  And... even if we do have to... be a little less... close, well, it'll be hard.  But worth it.  Just to know you'll be safe," Steve stressed.  "But... I won't stop hoping that's not asked of us."

Ed buried his face in Steve's hair and nodded.

"I won't either."

Steve gently tugged a strand of Ed's hair.

"Now try to get some sleep, please, darling.  We've got a very early morning."

"Yeah.  Okay.  Love you, Steve."

"I love you, too.  G'night."

"Night, night."

In the moments before he drifted off, Steve prayed that the week ahead would go well and that his words to Ed would be true.  They had to be allowed to stay together.  Anything else was unimaginable.


Steve so badly wanted to pull Ed into his arms and tuck him safely away.  He was so nervous as they waited in the security line.  Of course, part of that may have been that Ed had confessed during the car ride there that he'd never flown in an airplane.  But Steve knew that most of it was because of what... or rather Who... was waiting at the end of the flight.

Ed was waved through the body scanner.

Well, that was one source of his anxiety over with, thank God.

Once Steve was also through, he hurried over to Ed who looked anxiously around as travelers went to and fro.

"And so we're off!  I meant what I said back there.  You really ought to try to get some sleep, dear," he encouraged as he patted Ed's shoulder.

"Mmm.  Yeah.  Okay."

Steve saw a slight twitch of Ed's right eye that gave him pause.  He hoped he wasn't headed towards a panic attack.

"Let's get you sat down.  Our gate's over there."

Steve looped his arm around Ed's waist and steered him to a couple of chairs.

"Do you need anything?  A drink?  A snack?" Steve asked, hoping for something to do to help his boyfriend.

Ed shook his head.

"Just need... you."

"Aww, Ed..."  Steve looked tenderly at his beloved and hugged him tightly.  He smiled when Ed gave a contented sigh.

"Just think... by this time on Friday or Saturday or so... everything could be sorted.  You could be free, hmm?"

"Yeah."

Steve held out his phone, showing Ed the photograph of Joshua and Loreena.  He was encouraged when Ed smiled at them.

"Maybe let's look through the theatre's albums, hmm?  Might help settle us down?"

"Yeah.  Sounds good, love."

Steve handed Ed the phone, letting him scroll through and gently stroking his back, trying to ground him.

It worked until they were called to board and Ed grew agitated again.

"What if... if I can't fly?  What if I throw up?"

"Darling, you'd hardly be the first person to vomit on a plane.  And, umm, not that it's the same but... have you never flown like... at all?  Like..."  Steve mimed wings flapping.

Ed gawked at him.

"You think I had wings?" he whispered.

Steve had never really thought about it... not until now.

"I mean... maybe?"

"Naw.  Too young for that."

"Ah.  So is it like... a driver's license thing?  You get them at... I dunno... 3,000 years old?" Steve whispered.

"Naw.  Never will.  Not a Watcher."

"Hmm...  Tell me about these Watchers, will you?" Steve asked with genuine interest... but also eagerness to keep Ed distracted and talking.  If someone overheard... oh well.  They'd just think he was a theologian or mythological author.

"They're the earliest angels.  Created first.  The only ones with wings," Ed began to explain.

They came to their seats, stowed their bags, and sat down.

"Metatron...  He's the oldest of all," Ed continued.

"Very interesting!  And what's he do?"

"He's a scribe.  He writes down everything that happens."

"Busy man!  Err... well, not man but... well, you know what I mean."

Ed smiled and nodded.

"Next came his twin brother, Sandalphon."

While Ed was telling Steve about someone named Wahkan, the plane took off.  Ed squeezed his hand tightly for a moment but continued speaking.

Steve smiled.

They were off and, he hoped, all would be well.


It was nearly 5:00 PM the following day by the time Ed's and Steve's shuttle dropped them off at their hotel.  Exhausted, they trudged up to their room.

As much as they wanted to immediately crash and go to sleep, they were both still nervous about COVID and so Steve rushed into the shower.  By the time he came out, he noticed that Ed had made a significant alteration to their room. 

"Just thought... not like he's gonna show up today, surely," he reasoned.

"No, surely not," Steve agreed as he looked at the two beds that had been pushed together.

"You rest.  Don't wait up for me... but I'll be quick," Ed promised before disappearing into the bathroom.

"All right."

Steve collapsed onto the bed.  He knew he ought to brush his hair out but he was too tired. 

In his last moments of wakefulness, Steve felt Ed settle onto the bed beside him.  He smiled as Ed's arm curved around his waist.


They were both starving when they woke up three hours later.  They'd snacked a bit during the flight... but that had been minimal since it meant taking off their masks, a prospect which frightened them both.

"You stay here.  I'll walk a bit, bring us something back, okay?"

"You're all right with that, darling?  Because I can go with you if..."

"No sense both of us being completely knackered.  Besides, I've got a second wind.  Any preferences?"

"Well, New York is known for its pizza..."

Ed smiled.

"Then I'll look for a pizza place."  He stooped to kiss Steve's cheek.  "Be right back then."

"Thank you!" Steve called after Ed as he left.

"Welcome, love."

He smiled once more before stepping into the hallway and ensuring the door closed and locked behind him.

At the front desk, Ed asked for guidance then stepped outside and began walking in the direction the clerk had told him.  He was still a couple of blocks away from the pizza parlor when his gaze traveled to a little cafe on a corner.  It had outside dining and looked very cute.  Maybe he could take Steve there for lunch tomorrow.

And then Ed saw him.

Crowley.  The Serpent.

And then Crowley saw him...  Ed was sure he had. 

Ed turned and ran a block away, back towards the hotel.  He dashed into an alley then collapsed against a brick wall.  He could hear his heart thumping wildly.

All he'd wanted to do was get some dinner for himself and Steve and now he'd likely been spotted... by the Serpent no less.  And Crowley was redeemed now...  He had to be.  Only a few days before, someone named Peter had uploaded a photo of Joshua and Crowley warmly embracing to the theatre's Facebook.

Crowley might tip Joshua off and ruin everything!

Unless... Joshua didn't know who Crowley was.

Ed fought back tears as a chill went through his entire body.  He needed to get back to the hotel.  And he needed to see to get back.

He hurried back down the few blocks he'd come, his heart only settling down a bit once he crossed the threshold of the hotel.  He rushed to his and Steve's room and hurled himself inside the moment he had the door unlocked.

Steve startled when he saw him.

"Ed...  Ed what happened?"

Ed couldn't speak.  He only shook his head and began to sob.

"Oh, darling..."

Ed rested his head on Steve's shoulder, melting into his embrace, and wept.  He could manage nothing else for several minutes until, finally, he'd pulled himself together enough to explain his behavior to a worried Steve.

"I... I was on my way to a pizza parlor the desk clerk recommended when... when I passed a cafe.  A-and Crowley was there.  The Serpent.  And I'm sure he... he saw me."

"Did he speak to you?"

Ed shook his head.

"Too far off...  B-but... What if he tells Joshua?  Tells them all?  A-and if they're on the look-out for me... we... we may not even get into the theatre a-and..."

"Darling, I thought you said that Crowley was one of your only friends?"

Ed shrugged.

"He... Crowley visited me.  But friend?  Not sure anyone's really a friend in... in Hell."

"All right, well... you had a bond of some sort.  And since he was also a demon... and a pretty significant one at that... don't you think he'd want to help bring another demon back into the fold?"

"I dunno...  Maybe.  But... there's something else that occurred to me."

"What's that?"

"What if... if Joshua doesn't remember me?"

"Ed... how could he not remember you?"

"He didn't remember everything during the Incarnation.  What if it's like that?"

Steve frowned.  He hadn't considered that.

"Then Crowley could... could tell him who I am.  What I did...  And that would be all... all he'd know.  Or... or Crowley's still a demon and Joshua doesn't even know and he's here to... to drag me back."

"I just... I'm not sure that makes much sense.  Any of it, darling.  Firstly, even during the Incarnation, Joshua knew when demons were afoot.  And I mean... the Incarnation was about redeeming humanity, making us right with God.  I don't think it's something that needs to be re-done.  You said yourself that Joshua used several names.  Has several schemes.  Maybe he just pops in every once in a while because he wants to... fully knowing who he is, who everyone else is."

"Yeah...  Yeah, that makes sense," Ed agreed, beginning to relax.

"So... I think we should, one, have something delivered... just stay in tonight.  Then, two, we should go to the show on Wednesday... just like we planned.  See how that goes.  And, three, if we're still unsure of what's happening with Joshua then you can do your invisible thing, listen in, and gather information.  Okay?"

"Yeah...  Yeah, okay."  Ed let out a shaky breath then smiled and rested his forehead against Steve's.  "Thank you.  I feel... better."

Steve smiled and cupped Ed's chin before kissing him.

"Good...  And we'll both feel even better when we get some food in us.  I saw some delivery menus on the desk so..."

Steve rose and went to retrieve them.

Welcoming the distraction, Ed perused the offerings and let Steve's excited chatter further calm him.


Steve was no stranger to Passion plays.  And he'd seen Jesus Christ Superstar before.  He'd been moved by it.  Mostly by outcast, lovelorn Mary Magdalene.  And Loreena... she was magnificent.  Steve wished Ant could be there to see how wonderful his cousin was. 

But Steve realized, too late, that he should have given more thought to the emotional toll of watching Jesus... Joshua... re-enact his own death. 

And he definitely should have thought more about how Ed would react.  He was genuinely afraid that he was a few moments away from a panic attack.

Thank God they had aisle seats!

Ed hunched forward, sobbing, as Joshua asked his Father why he'd been forsaken.

Steve squeezed his shaking hand and whispered into his ear.

"Darling... oh, Ed...  It's just pretend...  Well, this time.  It's all..."

"'It... is fin-nished.  Father... into... your hands... I commend... my... my spirit.'"

Ed howled, a ragged, guttural noise that hurt Steve just to hear.

When the lights dimmed, Ed bolted from his seat and ran down the aisle, into the lobby.  Steve hurried after him.

"Need... need to go..."

"All right, darling.  All right."  Steve pressed a kiss to Ed's sweat-covered brow then gripped his hand.  "Let's go."

Ed's sobs lessened as they made the short walk back to the hotel.  But every time Steve glanced over at him, he still looked wild-eyed.

Once they were back in their room, Ed had ceased crying and was only making soft, hiccupy noises.

"Let's, umm, let's draw you a bath, hmm?" Steve suggested.  "Might help with nerves?"

Ed nodded.

"All right.  Good.  I'll go do that, darling.  You just... try to relax, okay?"

"Mmm hmm."

Seeing that he appeared to be a little wobbly, Steve steered Ed to a chair before heading into the bathroom.  Soon, he had the tub filled.  He was grateful he'd thought to bring some soap and bubble bath from home.  The scent of lavender filled the room.

Steve returned to Ed's side. 

"Okay...  Let's get you in there."

As Ed was still shaking, Steve helped him undress and get into the tub.

"There now...  That feels good, hmm?"

Ed nodded.  He hugged his knees and rested his head against them.

"'m sorry, I'm such a... a mess."

"Oh darling... no...  It... it was more emotional than I'd been prepared for, too."

"Sorry for him...  Hate...  Hated seeing him like... like that but... also reminded me of... of you.  In... in the hospital.  Right before they... they intubated you.  A-and... my... my iwi."

Steve's eyes went wide.  It hadn't even occurred to him that Ed might make that connection.  Joshua had been gasping an awful lot.

"Oh, Ed..."

Steve leaned over the side of the tub and wrapped his arms around his beloved Ed who had begun to sob again.

"Oh, darling.  My darling..." Steve cooed as he stroked Ed's hair.  "I love you so."

Steve knew there was really nothing more he could say.  He could only be there.


By the following morning, Ed was feeling much calmer. 

Though it made him a little nervous, he took Steve to the cute outdoor cafe for a breakfast of scones, fruit, and marmalade with tea.  After that they visited the Met where Steve oohed and aahed over the art.  Then they made their way to Central Park for a stroll.  Steve had insisted they have hotdogs from a cart for lunch because it was a "New Yorky" thing to do.

Then, a little after 5:00, Ed escorted Steve back to their hotel.

"I wish I could go with you," Steve murmured as he combed Ed's windswept hair.

"Wish you could, too, love.  But unless you've developed the ability to make yourself invisible..."

Steve chuckled.

"No.  Not yet, anyway."

Ed smiled.

Steve pulled a few strands of Ed's hair back and put it into a ponytail then secured the star barrette.

"Just wanna listen in for a bit.  See if I can figure out Joshua's... capacity?"

"Yes, good idea."

Ed turned around and hugged Steve.

"I'll be all right.  Last night was just a shock.  Being so close to him a-and watching that and being reminded of... everything."

"I know, darling."

Ed caressed Steve's cheek as he accepted a kiss to the forehead.

"I'll bring dinner back with me."

"I'll be looking forward to it."

Steve flashed Ed a smile.

Ed rose, planted a kiss amongst Steve's curls, and then disappeared.


The evening was illuminating.

Joshua was definitely fully aware of who he was and who everyone around him was.  When JenniAnn had playfully grumbled about Andrew leaving his dirty socks on the floor, Joshua had jested that he could temporarily demote the angel of death to the "angel in charge of collecting the unpaired socks" for a couple of weeks.  JenniAnn had declined the offer.

And if that hadn't clued him in, listening to a twenty minute conversation between Joshua and a young girl named Amala had.  She'd quizzed Joshua all about the fashion of his day and he'd answered every question, throwing in references to the Twelve and others as he did.  When Amala had detoured into questions about Muslim dress in the Middle Ages, Joshua had answered those with equal certainty.

After an hour, moving unseen among the close-knit group, Ed had started to feel a bit lonesome and hid away in the private box he'd discovered upstairs.

That had been nice until two Native Americans kids had burst in and started making out.  Ed had skedaddled then... wondering to himself if his senses were deceiving him.  Was the boy an angel???

Ed continued to roam the theatre, getting a better sense of the people there.  He liked JenniAnn.  He began to feel more hopeful on that front.

As the theatre began filling up with people... and because he'd seen Romeo and Juliet sneak back down from the private box... Ed returned there.  But during Act II, his solitude was once again interrupted.

By Yehuda.

Yehuda?!

Ed gaped at him.  Then he panicked when he realized Yehuda was staring back at him.

Without saying a word, Yehuda left.

Ed let out a strangled cry.

He hurried out of the box, through the lobby, and onto the sidewalk.  Remaining invisible, he ran back to the hotel and into his and Steve's room.

"Ed!" Steve cried as he materialized.  "What's wrong?"

"Some... someone saw me."

"Who?"

"Yehuda."

Steve looked at Ed with confusion.

"Judas," Ed clarified.

"Judas?!" Steve exclaimed.  "Iscariot???"

Ed nodded.

"But... isn't he in Hell?"

"He was.  But... I'd heard rumors..."

"About?"

"That he left.  Got to Heaven."

Steve gawked.

"Wow..."  Then he grinned.  "But that means...  Oh, darling...  If Judas was welcomed back then... then surely..."

Ed gave Steve a half smile.

"Yeah... hopefully.  But... but now that he's seen me...  Him and Crowley both...  If they all think a demon is skulking about...  JenniAnn might... might turn against us before we even get a word out."

Steve's expression faltered.

"Oh..."

Ed sucked in then slowly let out a deep breath.

"We'll figure it out, love.  Just... may need to alter our plan a bit.  If... if they've scared her then... well, maybe we need to lean into that a bit."

"Ed..."  Steve grimaced.  "Not sure I like the sound of that."