fandomtownies | Rare Books Shop, Saturday

Rare Books Shop, Saturday

It was an eventful couple of days -- enjoyable and frightening all mixed into one trip -- and Aziraphale is relieved to be back in the quiet shop. Shopping for Wilson's loft had been fun, as had the the trip itself, but it had turned troublesome and brought back the edginess the angel has been feeling since Crowley's return.

He decides not to open the shop, figuring most people will be heading over to the hotel...as he'll be himself eventually. But the lights are on and he's keeping an eye on the door, just in case he's needed.

[For

prof_cregg]

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Ten had told her some of the most amazing things. Some were harder to believe than others. When he'd told her about Aziraphale she was skeptical, but she knew in her heart it was true. She'd known before...

The lights were finally on, and she made the snap decision to go reintroduce herself to the angel.

Stepping through the door, memories rushed back. The smell of the books. The memories of tea and cookies. The overwhelming sensation of comfort. She smiled and looked around for him.

Hearing the soft jingle of the bell on the door, Aziraphale stepped out from the stacks and looked to see who'd come in. With the 'Closed' sign out, it had to be someone he knew personally, and he was pleased when he saw it was CJ.

"Miss Cregg," he said warmly, setting down the books he was shelving and walking up to her. "Do come in. Can I offer you some tea?"

"Aziraphale." She sounds absolutely relieved as she says his name.

Well-practiced on her crutches, she moves almost gracefully into the Shop. "I would adore some tea with you."

He gives the crutches a small frown, and rather than directing her into the lounge leads CJ to a corner near the counter, where there's a single armchair and a small table adorned with a tea tray and a bouquet of white roses.

"Please sit down, my dear." Aziraphale takes the crutches as she does so, leaning them against the wall next to her, and then pours her a cup of tea -- Lady Grey, of course. "I'm so pleased to see you out and about."

"Thank you." She leans her crutches against the chair and sits down carefully, smiling against the rim of the cup. "I've been going out every day. I'm getting callouses in my armpits, I think."

"Going out is likely the best thing for you, but I can see where those might become rather unweildy. Will you be attending the ball tonight?"

The angel poured a cup for himself and leaned against the counter, returning CJ's smile.

"I want to. I pulled out Ten's tux, and I have a great dress. I was thinking about seeing if the clinic would let me borrow a wheelchair so I don't have to make my way across town on those. But then, it might just be easier to stay home. Eat cheese and crackers and watch tv and kiss at midnight." she doesn't look thrilled, but almost resigned to that prospect for the night.

"Goodness, no! My dear, even I won't be spending the night with cheese and crackers and the telly. You should go. Perhaps..."

He looks down at CJ's ankle. It isn't the sort of thing he's comfortable offering, but he's not certain CJ will remember to ask.

"Perhaps I can help?"

Sipping her tea, she sets it on the table. "It's kind of you to offer, but unless you can make bones knit faster, there's not much to do but be patient and try not to mope."

So, she either doesn't remember, or had never really been aware in first place.

"Er...actually, my dear, I can make bones knit faster. Completely, in fact, if you'd like."

He covers his discomfort with a sip of tea.

"You...can?" It hadn't really occurred to her that he might be able to do more than be an immense source of comfort. She blinks slowly, looking from her cast, to him, and then to her tea. Quietly, shyly almost, she looks at him sideways, her head still bowed, "Aziraphale, you can't imagine how much I'd like that."

"It would be my pleasure to help, Miss Cregg. All you need do is ask." Aziraphale smiles, a bit relieved that she seems to taking what must seem like a constant and overwhelming flood of information fairly well in stride.

"I don't quite know what I'm supposed to ask...Aziraphale, would you fix my ankle?" She scratches lightly at her forehead. "That sounds so silly."

She sips her tea and then clears her throat. "My friend, I'd like to ask you if you could do something to help me out, so I can dance tonight at the Ball."

Laughing softly, Aziraphale sets his tea on the counter and goes to kneel by CJ's feet. "'Aziraphale, would you fix my ankle?' would have worked just as well, my dear. I wouldn't make you ask, except that...it works out better if you do. That way, it's made clear that it's your choice."

Carefully unwrapping the soft cast, the angel puts his hands around CJ's ankle, gently supporting it. A warmth spreads slowly from beneath his hands, through the skin and muscle and deep into the bone. After a few minutes, the warmth dissipates, and Aziraphale sets her foot down.

"I expect that will do it, my dear."

She presses her bare foot against the floor, waiting for it to hurt. When it doesn't, she grabs the arms of the chair and pushes herself up. Standing on it, with her full weight, she takes a tentative step, and then another. When she's directly in front of him, she reaches out and embraces him. "You are unbeliveable. Thank you so much."

"You're quite welcome, my dear," he answers, returning the hug. "Although I promise you, it isn't so unbelievable. A trifle, really."

Aziraphale blushes a bit at the compliment.

"Well, you're trifle just made it so I can wear a gorgeous silver gown and ring in the new year on the dance floor. To me, it's a miracle." She kisses his cheek softly, then pulls back, looking alarmed. "Unless that's not what you call it. I'd hate to get you in trouble."

"My dear, you may call it whatever you like, although if you do decide to use the term 'miracle', I'd ask that you keep my name out of it." Aziraphale's eyes have a slight teasing twinkle to them, but then his demeanor becomes more serious.

"And although you may not remember it as of yet, you did me a great service not so long ago, a kindness for which I will be forever grateful."

"I did? What on Earth could I have possibly done for you?" She picks up her tea, drinking it down, then looks at him curiously. Her eyes get a far away look, and she blinks slowly. "" The cup falls to the floor.

Amazingly -- or perhaps not so amazingly, given that it belongs to an angel -- the cup lands softly right side up, and Aziraphale quicky retrieves it, placing it on the counter. He takes CJ's hands and leads her back to the chair, encouraging her to sit down.

"Are you all right?" he asks softly, although he has a strong suspicion as to what just happened.

"I'm...fine." She sits, stunned. Memories of that night wash over her. "I think I could have lived my whole life without remembering those details."

Frowning, Aziraphale kneels her chair. "I'm so terribly sorry, my dear. I never should have mentioned it. If you...if it would be easier for you not to remember..."

He trails off, deeply troubled over the idea that he's caused CJ pain.

"No. No, it's ok. I'd rather remember. It was just a shock. I didn't expect anything like that. I prayed for you. For hours. And then we laughed...Yazoo and I. And then..." She shuts her eyes tightly, "And then Shane and Tara came." Sighing heavily, she opens them again. "I don't imagine you have any idea where they are now?"

Aziraphale shakes his head. "No, I'm afraid I don't. I saw Tara...a week ago, I suppose. But nothing since. I...don't think anything bad has happened to them, though."

He takes her hand. "I don't remember what happened myself, except that you were all there. And that...I would not have made it without you. So thank you again, my dear."

Worrying her lip with her teeth, she counts back the days. Taking a deep breath, she looks up, forcing a smile. "You're welcome, Aziraphale. You don't even have to...It was really nothing. I'd do anything you needed. You're my friend."

"And you're mine, CJ. And I would do anything I could for you as well. Don't worry about them, my dear. I promise you, if I hear anything at all, I'll let you know."

He squeezes her hand reassuringly.

"Now, shouldn't you be celebrating the fact that you'll be able to go dancing tonight, rather than ringing in the new year in front of the telly?"

She smiles softly, a warmth coming from his hand and spreading through her. "I should. Ten will be so very surprised. I think he was looking forward to watching a movie and turning in early." She scoffs, "As if I'd ever let my boyfriend do that."

"I expect, my dear, that he will be very pleased to be accompanying you to the party instead. And as I will be there myself, I do hope to see you."

Standing, he leaned over and kissed CJ's cheek lightly.

"You have to dance with me. That's what you get...no good deed goes unpunished." She smiles devilishly and returns the kiss.

"It would be my pleasure to dance with you, my dear," Aziraphale answers, looking very flattered.

Helping CJ to her feet, he smiles and hands her the crutches. "Now, go and tell your young man that he's going to have to put on that tuxedo after all."

Smiling brightly, she can take a hint. "I will. He'll be thrilled, I'm sure."

Taking her crutches, she carries them loosely at her side. "Thank you again. Really."

"And you're welcome again, my dear." Aziraphale chuckles. "If you really feel so indebted to me for this, come and have tea again sometime. It's been an age since we've had time to sit and talk."

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Rare Books Shop, Saturday

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