The Guardian.html

TIMELINE: Approximately six years after William.
SPOILERS: If you have not seen William or The Truth, this may not make any sense.
DISCLAIMER: See Disclaimer Page
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I was sitting here today reading the newest additions to Gossamer, when this hit me like a ton of bricks. HAD to get it out.
As always, for NCL.

~~~
The Guardian
~~~

"Hey there Little Guy; how are you today?"
"Fine." The little boy replies, while continuing to play with his Hot Wheel cars on the carpet of his bedroom.
'Fine'. How expected. "That is good, Little Man."
"Why you here 'gain?" The boy asks, fearless as to how the man came to be crouching before, yet not touching, him.
"I am always here. I make sure that you are doing well. It is kind of my job, now."
"Job? What is a 'job'?" The boy asks looking up at him, almost through him.
"A job is something that you take upon yourself to do; to get something done."
"Oh." The boy replies, not really caring why the man is here, yet finding comfort in his mysterious presence.
"You have grown a lot."
"Nuh uh." The boy giggles, looking at the man with awe.
"Well," The man smiles. "It seems to me that you have. You are talking more. Understanding more."
"My mommy says that I am special. That is why I understand more. I am not like other boys."
The man turns away, momentarily cringing at his reference to 'Mommy', and then returns his gaze to the child.
"Yes. You are very special. Very special indeed. When you get older, I will tell you just how special you are."
"Will you be here then, too? When I am older?" He asks, forgetting about his cars as he poses his questions.
"Yes. I will be here for as long as I am needed. Like I said, it is my job."
"Why?" The boy inquires, innocently.
The man smiles. "It is my self-induced atonement-my choice. To look after you until you are old enough to learn what I have to tell you."
"But you said I was older." The boy replies, quizzically.
"No. I said you have grown. You have to grow more, before we can have our 'talk'."
"Okay." The child replies, seeming to comprehend at least a little bit of what is being said. "So, why you here now? If we can't talk 'til later?"
The man chuckles. "Let's just say, I'm your guardian. I choose to be here, before you are older."
"Guardian?"
The man nods. "Do you know what an angel is?"
The boy nods, his eyes wide.
"That is what I shall be; to you. Your Guardian Angel. Just until you are older. Then you will not need me anymore."
"Why?"
"The job will be taken up by someone else."
"Who?"
The man smiles, and shakes his head.
"Later. When you are older, I will tell you. For now, I think it is time for you to go to sleep."
"Okay."
As the boy leaves the floor for his bed, he turns back to the man who has stood, as well.
"You are always here?"
"Yes. Though sometimes you may not see me, I am always here."
"What is your name?" The boy asks, as he climbs into the bed underneath his covers. He lays his head on his pillow and smiles up at the man, who smiles in return.
Leaning down, as if to kiss the child goodnight, he replies.
"My name is Alex, William. My name is Alex."

~Fin~