Azazel shrugged.

"Sure." he said.

Casey and Blair shared one more hug, before the latter headed back to his department, waving along the way. The other two watched until he was gone, before Azazel looked at Casey again.

"Been a bit." he commented.

"Anyway, where y'headed?" he asked.

"Judging from the general direction... Evan?" he guessed.

Azazel hung his head slightly.

"Yeah." he said.

"I'm guessing you're pulling a serious disappearing act." he told her.

"Not that I can blame you." he went on.

"The underworld is really in a tizzy now." he then informed her as they started to walk.

"...even Lilith is starting to utilise her clout to gather forces against the Fallen." he whispered.

"Duly noted." Azazel replied.

"And I respect your decision." he told her. "This can't be easy." he reasoned.

"..." he was then silent for a moment, before sighing.

He then turned and gave her a hug, bringing her close.

"Summon me if you're ever in a pinch." he told her.

"I'll throw myself at Michael himself if it means you get away from him."

"To understate it." Azazel responded as they continued to walk.

"But I mean it. If it's an emergency, summon me. No matter what." he told her.

"I have enough power to keep a Fallen or two busy for a short while." he said further.

"And we don't need you getting into THEIR hands." he growled.

"...can't believe it's finally happening..." he then muttered.

"The Fallen have EVERYONE mad at them now."

Azazel paused for a moment, thinking about it.

"Hmmmm." he mumbled.

"Fallen are... weird. They're not infernal, they're not celestial, and they're generally weaker than either realm." he said. "However, if they're organised under a leader, and possibly have weapons they shouldn't, all bets are off..." he went on.

"Wait." he then said.

"There's a chance a really good necromantic mana blast would disorient them and possibly scramble their brains." he told her.

"Or it could just make them dissipate. They ARE afterlife entities..." he mumbled further.

"But really... and I hate to say it... the biggest weapon against Fallen is usually... faith. Faith in... Emelie." he lamented.

Azazel nodded in response.

"What's entirely going on is... frightening. VERY frightening." he told her, as Evan's office door came into view.

"And you're welcome about the tip about the mana." he then said.

"Just... remember, use it to get away, primarily. Don't try and fight back unless you HAVE to." he reminded her.

"And summon me if things start to get really bad." he said again.

"Doesn't matter when or where or anything. I'll come running."

"Good." he replied.

"...good luck out there, Casey." he then said to her, as they exchanged one more hug. He then excused himself, they said their farewells, and he disappeared deeper into the building, as Casey knocked on Evan's door.

"It's open." she heard.

When she opened it, she saw Evan sitting behind his desk, looking at her.

"...I knew I could feel your mana about an hour ago." he said.

"I'm guessing you have not-so-pleasant news to deliver."

"...enough." Evan replied.

"I know that Emelie is missing, an archangel has fallen, and the Fallen themselves may be organising." he told her.

"...suffice to say, things are tense." he said.

"Tell me if I'm missing any crucial details." he continued.

"And if they relate to why you're HERE."

Evan seemed to be stunned for a moment, almost stuck where he was. He didn't move towards Casey at first, seemed like he wasn't going to do anything... until he practically launched himself at her, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close.

He didn't say anything, either.

He just continued to hold her, and buried his face in her shoulder.

That was one thing about Evan... he'd been a bit of a Momma's boy when he was younger, and even though he grew out of it, and became his own man... he was still VERY much close to her.

And this sudden news had hit him hard.

Evan didn't respond at first... but Casey heard light sobs, and felt him quivering a little. He continued to hold onto her, and he didn't let go for close to a full minute, before he finally said something.

"I..." he stammered.

"I didn't think it would come to this." he said.

"I just... I want to be with you right now." he told her.

"Until you disappear."