The Universe's Mixer

Everything had seemed almost perfect since her wedding day. Yes, her ring had to be hidden once again but she knew Erik had his reasons even if she wasn't entirely aware of them. She trusted his judgement and if he thought this best for now then she would not argue with him. He knows what is right for her and if this is then very well. Both her engagement and wedding ring will remain on the beautifully delicate chain resting around her neck and lowering to rest under the fabric of her dress.

Though that didn't stop her wearing them when within the manor. The servants knew. She only removed them when in public, which she hadn't been since just before the wedding when she searched for Tinker Bell to request her presence at the ceremony. The rest of the time she had remained in the manor as was common since her accident. Erik preferred it that way.

But she did manage to persuade him to let her attend the chapel as she had been meaning to. Of course, it came with the condition that he accompanied her. So she dressed respectably and left in the car with her husband. Erik did not stay by her however. He simply looked through the chapel doors to see it almost empty save the priest and a few others and then left her to her prayers. She would not push him. She grew up in her faith and, having heard his life, she could understand why he felt uncomfortable in such a situation. At least she knew he waited on her outside and that whatever he felt worried about would not be playing on his mind. Her angel wished to protect her from something and she would let him.

First she requested a confession and once she had spent the time speaking with the priest, the same priest who married her, she found a place near the altar to kneel and to pray. For her father first. Marrying had made her miss her father more than she thought possible but she knew that he would be happy to see her settled and content in her life. But mostly she prayed for Erik. For his healing. For their lives together to be long and happy.

She thanked God for bringing her husband to her to love. To show the kindness he had missed in his life. She renewed her vow to forever love him through everything and anything they faced.

Once she felt satisfied with her prayer she stood to light a candle. She did, however, spare a smile for another in the chapel when she caught their gaze.

Jack stared at the TV long after the news report had finished. He couldn't have heard right, could he? But he had. And he'd recognized that building.

Fred.

They hadn't said that they'd found a body. Just that they thought she might be dead. Was there more to the story? Did they have a reason for thinking that she was dead, beyond that she'd lived in the building?

There were, perhaps, people he could call to get answers to these questions. He wasn't ready for that yet. He wanted to cling to the little sliver of hope that Frank and Candy were mistaken. That Fred was still out there.

He went down to his car and started to drive. He didn't realize it at the time, but he started to head in the direction that he'd last seen the Angel Investigations building. Maybe he just needed to see it for himself. Or maybe he really did think that he would find her if he scoured the area.