Inevitable...won't stop...when the time comes...

John stared at Raphael, dumbfounded, only just now understanding what he should have seen from the beginning.

"Oh, I am an idiot," he breathed. "You mad bastard. You aren't looking to be talked out of Falling, you want somebody to tell you you should."

He backpedaled a step or two, shaking his head. "You need help, my friend. But leave me out of it. I've helped damn way too many people already."

Unable to bear the archangel's company any longer, he turned and walked rapidly away, head bowed, repressing the urge to break into a run.