Cuffs. I am in cuffs. I never thought I would be. Beside me, Reaper sits, cuffed as well. She's staring into space. She knows what's going to happen. We changed fate. We saved a life that was supposed to end. We interfered. We broke the law. We would be sentenced to Hell.

No.

Reaper looks so scared. She had gotten her chance to avoid Hell by becoming a reaper. She chose a thousand years of collecting souls over burning for eternity. She broke all the Commandments, but she was still given a chance.

No.

She won't going to be joining me. Little Guy is going to live. Reaper is going to continue her path to redemption.

"What's your name?" I ask. I never called her anything, but Reaper. We've known each other for so long...and I never cared enough to ask. She glances at me, her brown eyes huge.

She shakes her head, "Emma." She responds, giving me a skeptical look, her shoulders tense. As if she's ready for a fight.

"Emma." I repeat. I look into her hardened brown eyes. "Thank you." With that I get up and head into the courtroom. I will pay for my disobedience. I will pay for my interference. And I'm okay with this.

"David Arnold Hugh, what do you think you are doing?" I hear the old man judge exclaim from his middle seat. All five judges stare at me dumbfounded at my blatant disobedience. I walk into the courtroom without being summoned. Ming whirls around to look at me, disappointment clear in her eyes. A man I have never seen before is standing beside her. His eyes are accusing and filled with hatred. He must be Emma's supervisor. He rightfully placed all blame on me, but he need not worry.

Emma will be safe.

"Explain yourself." The sweet old lady who has always the most lenient of the judges, looks at me scandalized.

"I am here to say I acted alone. The reaper did not assist me in anyway. She actively tried to stop me but feared any repercussions she would receive if she used physical force against an angel." I take a deep breath. Angels can't lie. What a load. "She had nothing to do with saving the infant's life. I take full responsibility."

Emma's supervisor gets a triumphant look, "See I told you! Emma Walker has nothing to do with changing the plan! It is all the guardian's fault!" The man yells, pointing an accusatory finger at me.

"David, is this true?" Ming whispers, disappointment weighing down every word. I look back at her and I feel anger. She knew. She knew he was supposed to die and didn't warn me. She's disappointed that I saved his life.

"Yes, Ming. I interfered all on my own. Emma had nothing to do with it." I turn my attention to the judges. They are the only ones who actually matter. I could see the middle judge, the head, thinking on my testimony.

"Grim Reaper Emma Walker is excused. She is not guilty." He finally says. The other reaper whoops and rushes out to Emma.

She was free. She will be able to finish her path of redemption.

Little Guy will get a life. He will get a proper name. He will see past his first day and go on to the next and the next and the next. He will live. His file will be lively. And everything is worth it, knowing he gets to live. Knowing Emma is safe. Knowing that one day she will become an angel.

**

"Guardian Angel David Arnold Hugh, you have confessed to the following crimes of directly interfering and changing fate. We, the judges, have no choice. Your judgment is to burn for eternity in Hell."