Words caught in Gabriel's throat, a hundred reassurances that he could not speak, because in all honesty, he had no idea what would happen. He felt as though they were all poised on a cliff's edge, so vulnerable to what lay beyond, so easily thrown into the abyss of the unknown.

He wanted to lie. He wanted to tell Raphael that everything would be all right, and that all their transgressions would be forgiven. After all, if these accusations of Michael were true and yet the angel remained head of Heaven's armies, if Gabriel himself could get so lost in Belial's touch and still find the Presence...

"You won't, dear," he whispered, and meant it. "You won't Fall..."

Because if he couldn't be sure of that, of Raphael and his loyal healing, what could he cling to?