Chronicles of Absolution: Colonial Armistice

Chapter 1

The mist spoke of the humidity of the night of the forest while the animals that were awake made their noise. The frogs were croaking by the creek. The lanterns were lit and the guards were on patrol throughout the whole town or camp… something like that. It didn't matter since this was going to be a simple extraction. The hard part was getting into the town without being spotted as an outsider.

It was easy to sneak into the town and make it towards the garrison. Hiding in the shadows next to what was considered the milliner's shop, it was a clear view of the building. The hard part was going to get in, or maybe it was the easy part. Getting out would be difficult, which is why the big guns were loaded and…

"I can't believe I took a step back in time and with you of all people."

Angela rolled her eyes slightly and adjusted her tri corner hat and looked over at her companion and said, "The price you pay for working with me Ruby."

Ruby narrowed her eyes as she adjusted her hat and flung her wrist to fix the sleeve. "I can't believe you had me dress in this get up. This is like a bad costume party."

"Better than the dress. You look terrible in corsets." Angela adjusted her hold on the gun she had. She couldn't believe she was holding a musket rifle again but it was like riding a bicycle and that didn't occur until they were invented after the colonial era.

Ruby made a noise through her lips as she finished fixing the sleeves. She took a step behind Angela and heard the squishing noise. She looked at her feet and saw the dark telltale spots indicating mud. She groused, "And why am I wearing the stockings and shoes?"

"Because I wear the boots," Angela replied with a slight smirk. "And better too. Besides can't have two 'officers' wandering around together." She couldn't help but giggle at that. It was pretty funny and it helped to alleviate the fact that she was stuck with the last person she would ever be caught with on a job.

"Right you're the leader hence the coat, the pants and the boots and not to mention the hat that I'm so glad went out of style," Ruby replied with a slight roll of her eyes. She looked around as she adjusted her pistol on her belt. "This would be so much easier if we just utilized a few choice talents between us."

"And if we did that we would end up being accused of witchcraft and the sad thing is that one of us is a witch." Angela cut off and looked at the scene. She then tapped Ruby on the forearm and started across the street holding her musket expertly.

Ruby sighed in annoyance and followed with her free hand on the pistol she had. Her eyes rolled as she walked behind Angela looking like a subordinate. At one point she contemplated the possibility of stabbing her with the knife that was hanging at her belt. Just because they had an 'agree to disagree' agreement, that didn't mean that it had to be bloodless.

"You try it and I might end up breaking your neck, bitch," Angela said as she continued towards the garrison. "Plus I have an even bigger knife and located somewhere you don't want to know."

Ruby scowled and made a frustrated motion in silence. She straightened out and said, "Fine. Maybe when we're done playing guard duty we can arrange a duel."

"That would be entertaining," Angela replied with a slight smile. "And we don't even have to use pistols. We can see whose knife is bigger."

Ruby narrowed her eyes as she glanced at Angela. She had managed to be sort of beside her but slightly behind to defer to rank. In the dark, they looked like two men walking on patrol. She muttered, "Well I know I have the bigger one."

"And I have the smarter one," Angela replied.

"In your dreams."

"You have no idea."

They continued onward until they got to the door. That was the hard part since the guard was male. Angela knocked on the door and the window slot opened. Angela tapped into her abilities while saying, "Here to retrieve a prisoner."

"This late?"

Angela pulled out the parchment. She held it out and said, "Orders. The General wishes to speak to him." She straightened out not surprised at how easily the European accent came back to her. When she was seriously pissed she reverted back to her native Italian and some of those words were long disused in any sense.

The guard read the parchment. It was a slightly tense moment. Angela had to rely on memory to write the order. The hard part was to imitate the General's writing or a superior's writing. Ruby harangued her about putting it together using the computer and then copying it onto the parchment. She did it the hard way just to piss the demon off plus she was curious how her forgery skills fared. The last time she worked with parchment was back in the days of the revolution. Paper changed since then and she adapted.

Finally they were allowed access to the main holding. They were told to wait while the guard went to get the superior. Once he was gone Angela let out a breath, "Okay. Now we're in."

"And where do we go from here? I don't suppose you'll be able to pull a map out of your ass too?" Ruby crossed her arms over her chest.

Angela raised a brow at the demon. The thought that Ruby looked like one of those gay guys who flaunted it or the metrosexual guys crossed her mind. It was punctuated by the notion that Ruby was attractive as a man. It was a disturbing thought since Angela herself had been told she made a pretty man once or twice when she wore the pants so to speak. She looked around the room and noted the exits and went to one of the doors to study it. "More like from memory. We don't have much time."

"We never had it in the first place."

"And we'll have less if you don't do your part bitch."

"Right and that includes me looking like this, bitch."

Angela snorted as she opened the door and peered around. There was no one in sight. It was going to be awhile if the supervisor was asleep. She motioned for Ruby to follow as she made her way down a hall. "Hey if you want to play the whore and wear the dress… Wait you pretty much were one while I was dead and still are."

"You're bringing that up now?" Ruby hissed at Angela as she trotted after her on her toes. They couldn't make too much noise.

"Funny how the mind works," Angela replied as she paused to look down which direction she should go. "I disappear for a couple of months and the bitch who tried to seduce and kill me became a whore."

"Hey, you were willing to accept my charms then."

"Please. I would have thought someone like you would have known that I was playing you." Angela paused and then made an abrupt turn. They were almost close to where they needed to be. "You heard about my supposed bisexual nature. I'm surprised that tidbit stayed on the grapevine."

"All the more disappointing that you aren't. We would've had so much fun before I had to kill you," Ruby shot back. She then got a sly smile and then asked sweetly, "Have you even mentioned how we came to meet? I'm sure it will give Dean a few ideas."

"Oh he has enough," Angela countered. She put a hand out to hold Ruby back and they pressed themselves against the wall. Across the way was the row of keys. Angela frowned slightly and paused to look. She reached out and took the keys. They may have to play with them or use the direct approach. "We have a good time flirting."

"All talk up to it and then it goes nowhere."

"That's what you think."

They were silent until they found the door that would lead them to the prisoners. It was a long shot but perhaps they would be with the missing teens. Angela peered through the barred window and could make out the cells. She looked at the lock and decided to not bother. She looked at the lock and muttered an incantation and her eyes glowed. The door unlocked and popped open.

"Never thought you'd be using your gifts so… interestingly."

"Bite me Ruby." Angela pushed her way in and walked in. There were rows of holding cells. They were not like modern jail cells. She looked left to right, looking for any signs of life. Some of the prisoners were acting like loons or didn't care in the first few cells. It reminded her of the time she actually was in a prison as a prisoner. The smell was the same.

"Okay, pick one," Ruby urged.

"I will. Watch our backs Ruby. You know the plan."

"Yeah, yeah," Ruby replied with an eye roll. She put her hand on her pistol and was going to pull it out when she heard Angela call to her. She turned in time to catch the musket rifle.

"You do remember how to fire one?" Angela looked at Ruby with mock concern.

"Just be lucky I don't shoot your ass."

"It'll be a cold day."

The slight muttering had Angela smirk slightly as she walked through the hall, looking into the cells. The first cells held prisoners that were supposed to be there. Supposed to be there? I swear this job is testing my sanity worse than Ruby is. Angela blinked as she passed a few empty cells or they seemed empty if it weren't for the lifeless bodies on the ground facing their walls.

She made it to the end of them and found a door at the end. She frowned since most plans didn't have a door like this. She motioned for Ruby to follow and she muttered the incantation to unlock the door. It opened to a stairwell that led downward. Her senses began to tingle as she took a couple of breaths. She glanced at Ruby and together they followed it down.

It led them to the equivalent of a cellar but it wasn't really a cellar. It looked like a lair or something. It was hard to tell since they were in semi darkness with no flashlights or lights at all except torches and a light she had tucked into her person. They looked around and found a holding cell and what appeared to be the missing teens.

It was short work getting the cell open and ushering them up the stairs. This was not really what they wanted but they could get them out and come back. Unfortunately they were stopped by the supervisor and his guards. "Halt."

Angela reacted before Ruby could and with a forward thrusting movement, she knocked them down with her powers. Ruby shouted, "What are you doing?"

"Get them out Ruby. Follow the plan." Angela took off running after trodding on the guards. "Expect the unexpected."

Ruby blew air out of her mouth and started issuing orders to the brats she was to get out. This was just perfect. She internally cursed this whole job as she went through her part. She wondered why she even agreed to this.

Angela ran down the halls. She tried not to get herself lost or head in a direction that Ruby would have taken the kids. She also tried not to hurt any of the guards she came across. Zero body count was the rule except for the ringleader. He went down and then the whole thing goes to normal. So she resorted to her hand to hand since she didn't have a gun in the first place. She could only hope that Ruby would be inclined of the same mind. She rounded a corner and started singing a bawdy tavern song to draw attention.

It worked until she rounded the corner and came across the head guard with his party. They were armed. Angela stopped in her tracks and took a breath and said, "Okay. You got me." She held up her hands.

Iron shackles from the 18th century were pretty good. That was before a standardized look. They were pretty much made to fit the prisoner. Of course Angela had experience wearing them and once was able to escape; that was a secret. This time she had no intention of escaping the guards' custody and let herself be led to her cell. She couldn't help but ask, "So what are the accommodations for breaking and entering a garrison?"

"Shut up. You're a traitor."

"To the crown? Wow. I was that before and I'd be glad to be that again."

"Treason to the cause."

"Now that is an unfounded accusation. I've always been a patriot." Angela looked at her guards. "Though I think the standards have gone down a bit. You really should cut down on the rich foods. No wonder you couldn't catch me without the help of Boney there."

The punch to the gut felt like a girl punch. Angela pretended to double over and continued, "Well. Militia men are better than regulars. Kept the redcoats in the south. Of course we didn't have tubbies like them."

"Shut up abomination," the thinner of the guards said. "You and the traitors will die a treason's death."

"And I look forward to it."

"You will," the guard said before opening a door.

Angela found herself shoved through the door. She flew and landed on the stairs and used her hands for support and allowed her momentum to let her roll down the stairs. When she finished her landing she heard, "That is the beginning or your repentance you seed of the devil. Nothing but a traitor's death for you."

She couldn't help but reply, "Maybe you should try absolution or something." She got up and dusted herself off like it was nothing. She took a look around and took in her surroundings.

"What the hell are you doing here Angie," Dean's voice pierced the darkness.

"Getting myself caught."

"What?"

48 Hours Earlier

"Alright boys now one eyed Jacks are wild and deuces win unless you want standard."

The chorus of protests filled the area. Angela grinned as she shuffled the dealer's deck she had been given after she inspected it. She shuffled standard, then spread them out and played with them, making a big show of it. With a flourishing sweep she swept the cards up into the deck and dealt them out to the players. She smiled as she laid out the dealer hand.

"You know she's got a knack for this." Dean took a sip of his beer. "Makes me wonder what else she has up her sleeves."

"Plenty," Sam said as he watched, not liking that Angela was surrounded by three guys that were twice her size in terms of body weight. He fiddled with the bottle that he was holding and trying hard to fight the urge to go over there and join in.

"Easy there Sammy. She's got it under control," Dean said with a slight warning in his tone. "Not our fault that there's no pool here to hustle and she didn't even bother to suggest the drinking contest because you pretty much acted like a little bitch the last time."

"That was only because the competition thought she was soused enough to take advantage of," Sam replied looking at his brother.

"And she handled it," Dean replied. He took a sip and decided to take a chance, "You know she doesn't need our help with that kind of thing so why bother Sam? It's not like you own her."

"Don't refer to her like that Dean. She's not a piece of meat."

"You treat her like that Sammy. You give the stink eye to every single decent guy that wants to talk to her." Dean took a sip and watched as Angela dealt the cards out to the ones that wanted to hit. "Sounds like you have a thing for her."

"Don't be stupid Dean. You would do the same."

"Don't flatter yourself," Dean muttered as he turned to order another beer. "I look after her like I do you."

Sam didn't hear what his brother said. His eyes were on Angela as she dealt cards with a flourish and was talking. They were all talking trash talk but she was animated about it and he noticed one was looking at her chest. He rolled his eyes slightly at the blatant look and got annoyed when Angela seemed to notice and exploit it. This would have been easier if they threw darts or shot crap.

The poker game went on for quite some time as they played. Eventually two were forced out due to losing their money. It left just Angela and a guy who thought he was a tough guy and a good poker player. She smiled sweetly and expressed her pleasure at having a challenge. She proposed Texas holdout and the guy agreed to it.

Angela made and elaborate shuffle and in the process popped a few cards out and caught them and continued to shuffle like it was nothing. The guy she was playing said, "You're pretty good with your hands."

"It's a talent," Angela replied as she finished her shuffling. She dealt the cards and the game began. She left hers flat on the table and folded her hands. "So, place your bet."

The game went with the guy betting a hundred. Some of the guys couldn't help but whistle at the high start. Angela merely nodded in an impressed manner. She put in a hundred and then raised a hundred. "Don't be shy on my account," she said in a sweet tone.

Dean was nervous because the dollar amounts had increased substantially. They needed money though and it was a risk when she proposed poker in that pokey tavern that looked like the kind the ones who were probably the criminals dealt in. He could understand Sam's worry because they walked in with a pretty girl and some of those guys were aching for some company. He was sure Angela saw it which was why she was positioned the way she was. He could only hope that Sam would keep his cool long enough for her to collect the winnings and they would be out of there.

The pot rose to the point that it was all in. Angela put her pile, all stacked nice and neat in. "Call," she said.

The guy revealed his hand after she laid down the river card. She looked at his hand which was a queen and a king; two pair. She made a slight face and nodded, "Very good hand."

The guy was ready to pull the chips towards him when she put her hand on his wrist, "Not so fast." She used her other hand and revealed deuces and there were deuces on the line. The whole tavern went nuts cheering her on as she grinned.

The guy she had beat sat back grousing. It wasn't over though. When she started pulling the winnings towards herself he grabbed her wrist and said, "I'd say you were cheating. You've played your last hand."

"Please let go of my hand sir. You will embarrass yourself," Angela warned as she narrowed her eyes.

"I want my money and I'll take it out of you one way or another," the guy countered and pulled on her arm and tried to get her into a bear hug.

Angela counted by slamming the back of her head into the guy's face. His buddies tried to take her and she used their momentum combined with a few punches and kicks to get them down. One tried to use a beer bottle to hit her. She blocked and the glass shattered and she gave a palm thrust to the nose to break it. To add insult to injury she grabbed him and pulled him into her knee and kicked to the nether regions, making him collapse in pain.

The guy she had head butted shook his head. He growled in anger and made to pull out his knife and was going to grab her and threaten to slice her throat. He was stopped when his own throat almost met the pointy end of a knife she was holding and it looked really sharp. His Adam's apple was touching the point and he could feel it as he looked to see a woman with an almost blank look staring at him like he was a curious thing but there was the hint of anger there.

Angela held her knife extended and her hand poised to grab another that was on her person. She looked at the guy and asked, "So tell me Lucky, is this worth dying over?" She moved her free hand and wiggled the fingers to indicate he was to hand the money over.

The guy she called Lucky swallowed. He felt a slight pressure on his skin. No one else was going to help since that was pretty much the law of the bar. You say nothing and you heard nothing. He looked in the direction of his buddies and motioned they were supposed to get in and help.

Angela saw the look and looked at them, "Do you want to share his fate if you interfere?"

The two backed off immediately. They valued their own skin rather than over a couple of grand. Lucky groused at them to come back. Angela said, "Looks like they choose life. You might as well save your cred here and pay up." She wriggled her fingers again.

Lucky groused and pulled out the wad. Two grand and he put it in her hand. She glanced at it and with her fingers checked to make sure she wasn't being cheated. She said, "Now that wasn't so hard. You are lucky… Lucky." She flipped her knife and put it back in its holding place.

It wasn't too much trouble to head over to where the Winchesters were and order a beer. They sat at a table with Dean admitting that he had been worried. She brushed it off saying that the guy was an easy read and said that she didn't cheat since that was the next question. She looked at Sam and said, "Places like these, you can always count on no getting involved in your business… unless they are stupid."

A guy who looked like he belonged anywhere but here sat in front of them. Dean raised his brow and took a sip. He didn't have to worry about Sam since Angela gently tugged at his jacket sleeve. She took a sip of her beer and said, "Amazing what places like these turn up." She looked at Sam and smiled to get him to relax.

The guy looked at them a little nervous and slightly confident. He said, "I want to hire you." He put an unmarked envelope on the table.

Angela raised her brow at the envelope. The Winchesters looked at each other. This was hardly what they did. Angela said, "What makes you think that we are for hire?"

"Just you," the guy said. "I'll pay anything but I want you."

A/N: And 3.20 kicks it off with Angie and Ruby working together in the middle of a case. Then we go to where it starts. Interesting turn of events Stay tuned for more Colonial Armistice...