The business of fulfilling destinies is a tricky and by no means unerring science. Stella had spent her entire custodial career reminding herself and others of that. When dealing with the unpredictable and sometimes irrational dispositions of human beings, there simply were no guarantees, only honest to goodness best intentions.

But sometimes even heaven made mistakes.

Occasionally an earthbound soul was born in the wrong place or even in the wrong time, something other than what was contractually agreed. Thus placement hearings were not uncommon in the Department of Spiritual Affairs. Every guide without something pressing to deal with attended, not only out of curiosity, but to be sure that their clients weren't affected by the outcome.

This day was no different. The Celestial Auditorium was packed to overflowing with eager, apprehensive angels as Stella stood twiddling her thumbs to keep herself calm. Maximillian, the Director of Spiritual Affairs, brought the meeting to order from behind his high, white bench and Stella struggled to hide her anxiety. She'd defended at several of these hearings during her long, illustrious career, but this would be her toughest case yet. For the sake of her floundering client, she had to persuade Maximillian to see things her way.

“Stella,” the director greeted with a nod.

She smiled politely and tried to put some meaning to his casual tone, give herself some shred of hope that he might be on her side in this matter. But, as usual, his formidable expression was unreadable.

“I understand you've put in for a promotion to management,” he continued.

“Yes. Yes I have.”

“Your record is impeccable. I'm sure you'd make a superb guidance supervisor.”

“Thank you, sir. I hope you'll keep that in mind while deciding this case.” She wanted this hearing over and done with as quickly as possible. Frankly, she was afraid to leave her client alone down on earth any longer than was absolutely necessary.

“Is this woman your last assignment?” Maximillian asked.

"Yes, sir, she is." And thank heaven for that, Stella added to herself. After dealing with Lacey Guarder for the past twenty-five years she was due for a long vacation at the very least.

Maximillian smiled. "Nothing like going out with a bang, is there?"

The representative of the opposing side smacked his hands down onto the disputer’s table and stood. "This is all very interesting, but if we could please get on with—”

Maximillian frowned down at the young angel. "Sit down, Nelson," he commanded. “I’m fully aware of the urgency concerning this little problem."

The tall, cleft-chinned angel smiled wryly. "I beg your pardon, sir, but calling Miss Lacey Guarder a little problem is a rather large understatement."

Maximillian's frown darkened. Nelson promptly sat down. "How are things in San Diego, Stella?" the director continued.

Stella blanched at the question. With all her heart she wished she still had the human capacity to lie. "Things?" she repeated. "I, um, I'm afraid they're not so good, sir."

"Then you're still not seeing any signs of spiritual progress?"

"No. Not yet," she was quick to add.

"Not yet?" Nelson scoffed. He stood from his chair again. "Sir, Stella has been hoping for progress for seven years, now, leaving other guides to worry over whether or not this spiritual catastrophe of hers is going to be set loose on their clients in the nineteenth century. It’s time we all accepted the truth: Miss Lacey Guarder is irredeemable."

"Irredeemable?!” Stella burst out. “What gives you the authority to make such an offensive supposition?"

"The woman has no conscience—"

"She wouldn't hurt a fly!" Stella defended.

"I agree. She'd be far too busy stealing the poor insect's wallet!"

The auditorium broke into muffled laughter. Maximillian cleared his throat and that was all it took to bring things back to order. He looked straight at Nelson, who paled visibly. "I will not stand for this sort of inflammatory display. You are not the only disputer in this department, Nelson, and if you cannot stick to the facts and control your opinions then I can easily have you removed from this case."

Nelson smiled grimly. "I apologize.” He sank back down into his chair.

Stella was relieved to see that Maximillian's expression softened when he settled his attention back on her. "I understand you're here to request a relocation."

"Yes," she said confidently. "I feel the time has come."

Nelson made a grumbling sound. Maximillian turned his attention to the disputer's table. "And, obviously, you are here to dispute it?"

"Yes, sir," Nelson replied. "That's correct, sir."

"Then let us proceed. Stella, you may state your case."

Stella took a deep breath. "Thank you." Maximillian hated long-winded speeches, so she knew her best bet was to make her point as quickly and concisely as possible. "My case is very simple," she began. "As is standard, my client received a valid contract from us before leaving to begin her temporal life. She agreed to certain conditions, and we agreed to certain terms. However, the moment her placement error occurred, the very second she was born in the late twentieth century instead of the nineteenth, we failed to live up to our end of the bargain. Why, then, should we expect her to live up to hers?”

That said, Stella sat down in her chair behind the defender's table and took another deep, calming breath. Maximillian simply had to agree to a relocation. If he didn't, Stella wasn't sure she'd be able to save her client from certain disaster.

Maximillian nodded thoughtfully at her, and then he turned to Nelson. "You may now proceed."

"And proceed I will, sir.” The well-dressed angel rose dramatically from his chair. "Why then, Stella asks, should her client be expected to live up to her end of the bargain? Why? Because she's been given a conscience like everyone else. Because she's been given morals like everyone else. Because she knows the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, and yet chooses—chooses, mind you—to live this lovely little scoundrel's life she's carved out for herself. And now her faithful spiritual guide wishes for us to place her back into the century where she rightfully belongs, hoping that this will magically correct the woman's villainous scruples. Well, I say, what about the others? What about the clients of all the successful guides in attendance here today who will be directly affected by Miss Guarder's nefarious presence? Don't we have contracts with all of those souls as well? Weren't they promised certain ways of life and liberties? Frankly," he added, chuckling, "I'm surprised by Stella's single-mindedness in this matter. One might think she's lost her perspective after all these years."

Stella glared at Nelson. He smirked at her and then sat back down in his chair. Lucky for him, she was an angel filled with the peace of Heaven.

Maximillian leaned back and sighed. "Stella, I have read your reports on this young woman, and find I can understand why you've taken this case so much to heart. Because of this placement error, your client's life, thus far, has been an unfortunate one. Still, she has displayed a consistency toward making unfavorable choices, and I hesitate to place such an unpredictable presence in the midst of others who are struggling to walk the straight and narrow."

"But her mission!" Stella interjected. "The happiness of others is at stake if she isn't relocated."

"Stella, you know as well as I that many times spiritual missions can be accomplished in other ways, and with almost precise accuracy. Relocations are rarely ever imperative for anyone but the client."

Stella's hopes began to slip. She thought of Lacey Guarder, of her inability to trust and to love, and shook her head sadly. "Refusing this relocation would be very tragic, sir."

"I agree. And you must understand that I want to give this woman a chance. But the opportunity for her to do something destructive is so vast—"

"Not if I'm allowed to advise her.”

The director blinked at her in surprise.

"Objection!" Nelson jumped to his feet. The entire auditorium erupted into loud chatter. “Advising a client is prohibited! It is strictly forbidden by Section 23 of the Code of Guardians. I absolutely protest!"

Maximillian leveled his gaze on Stella. “What basis do you have for making such an extraordinary request?"

"You've read my reports," Stella replied. "This is a most extraordinary situation. If I'm allowed to be a continuing presence in Miss Guarder’s life through this process, to remind her of her innate goodness, then perhaps she will begin to recognize it on her own. Sir, this young woman has been either abused or abandoned by every person in her life. No one has ever bothered to offer her a moment of productive guidance. Allow her this one final opportunity to turn her life around."

"Sir," Nelson pleaded, "agree to this preposterous request and you will be making a serious mistake. Relocating this woman could cause irreparable harm to those she'll be coming into contact with. I've said it before, and I will say it again: This woman is irredeemable."

Maximillian sighed. "Nelson," he began slowly, "you haven't been with us long, so allow me to remind you of something: It isn't for us to judge them, it is simply our job to guide them. Miss Guarder may yet surprise us all."

"And if she doesn't, sir? If she continues on this path of duplicity and begins to destroy the lives of others who have been promised things as well?"

Maximillian nodded slowly. "That is why I'm going to grant Stella's request to act as advisor.”

"But, sir—"

Maximillian held up a silencing hand. "Stella, you may relocate your client and interact with her directly as needed. You may also inform the young woman of her mission which she will be expected to complete to the very best of her ability within one week.” Nelson gasped in outrage. Maximillian ignored him. “If Miss Guarder refuses to complete her mission,” he continued, “or if she interferes in any detrimental way with the lives of the others around her, you are to return her to the twenty-first century and to the circumstances in which you found her."

"Yes, sir," Stella agreed. She was relieved beyond description.

Nelson, however, wasn’t ready to give up. “I request this decision be stayed until such time as an appeal can be registered with the higher court,” he demanded.

Maximillian glowered at him. “Request denied.”

Nelson shrank back. Stella took a deep, relieved breath. One week. Heaven willing, that would be enough.