Apologia

Dear Readers,

I write to this simply apology. I know that there are many of you who have waited patiently to read about Kelsey's adventures in Season 5, however, I became ill shortly after beginning this story and it was on hold until I became well again. Kelsey is again telling her tale and I am actively trying to keep pace with her. I hope that you enjoy her adventures with her favorite people the Winchesters and their friends.

Lacey.

Chapter 1

I sit here in the cemetery perched atop a headstone and think of how it all came to this. I never envisioned in my long existence that this would have ever happened. Now, I know that many of you will wonder how is it that I am speaking from a cemetery when the last you saw me, I was battling Lucifer who had just been released from his cage. Well, I shall get to that in a moment. Needless to say, this particular story has so many twists that no one could have seen how it would end, that is except for the one being who would see all the endings and push it to the one He wanted. Much like a writer before the typewriter/notebook/computer screen, all things will follow a particular path in any story. Some stories unravel by themselves, other times they are forced into the direction that you would least expect. However, things conclude the way that they are supposed to in the end.

I stare at the ground beneath my swinging feet and shake my head. I feel the air shimmer and I spin and see Azrael appear.

"It's been a while," I smiled.

"It's been a long while," he agreed.

"So this is it?" I asked for fear that things were about to get decidedly worse.

"Who knows," he shrugged. "Everything is upside down now."

"Was it ever right side up?" I felt a scowl form on my face.

"Perhaps not," Azrael sighed. "We're waiting on orders."

"I know," I nodded. "Everything is in disarray."

"Do you think those demons had a clue?" Azrael questioned me.

I laughed wryly. "A clue?" I shook my head. "Who but us ever knew the truth about Lucifer?"

"You have a new scar," Azrael touched my neck.

"That you can see," I murmured.

Azrael leaned against the headstone and studied me for a moment. "There was no way," he said softly.

"I know," I whispered. "I know."

"This was decided long before you got here," he shrugged.

"Spoken with the finality of Death," I said pointedly.

"Yes," Azrael glanced down at his hands. "My hands have taken much. I've never questioned it. It was what I was made for."

"We all serve a purpose," I agreed.

"As do the humans," Azrael pressed his forehead against mine.

"I know," I sighed. "Why are you here?"

"Joshua sent me to find you," he explained.

"What does Joshua want?" I asked.

"I didn't ask him," Azrael chuckled. "I was just amazed that he said that I should get you from this place and tell you that you're to come home now."
"Home?" I sat up straighter. "But…" I trailed off.

"The Father said that you are come home," Azrael nodded. "I know. I'm a bit surprised. But then, maybe there was a reason that you were sent where you were sent."

"Of course there was a reason," I frowned. "I don't know what it is, but…"

"Come home," he grasped my hand in his. "Let's leave this place."

I allowed him to pull me to my feet. I glanced around at the cemetery.

Azrael waited patiently for me. He knew as well as I did that I would obey the order to return home. I stared at the ground and felt the tears on my face.

"It's okay to cry," he said quietly.

"Yeah," I muttered. "Especially since I shan't flood the entire planet with my tears."

His mouth twitched in a smile. "You can go visit them soon."

"I suppose," I sighed.

"Where are we?" Azrael frowned.

"Don't you know?" I looked at him sideways.

"No," he shook his head. "Joshua just said to get you. I didn't even think of an actual location I simply zeroed in on you. You're in a cemetery so that is no surprise, but where are we?"

"Lawrence, Kansas," I answered.

Azrael's head snapped in my direction. "I really hate when that happens."

"I think that it's called a unifying thread," I shrugged.

"Huh?" Azrael scowled.

"It's a writer's thing," I replied. "A writer likes to tie up 'loose ends' so to speak."

"I don't think that I want to know," Azrael shook his head.

I smiled at him.

I followed Azrael from the cemetery in Lawrence and returned home. We would need some time to adjust to the things that have occurred. I stood in the main hall where the repairs were taking place after the chaos that had reigned previously. I saw Castiel standing in a corner and he looked at me questioningly.

"Kelsey," Castiel said as he approached.

"Castiel," I smiled.

"It's good to be still alive," he said.

"Yes," I nodded. "You've had too many close calls as it is. Poor Jimmy," I murmured as I recalled the name of his host.

"I don't understand fully," Castiel shook his head.

"You did what you were supposed to do," I told him. "We all did."

"Do you think that the Father will return?" Castiel said.

"What do you think?" I asked him.

"I think that he was right in front of us the whole time," Castiel frowned.

I merely smiled. "You know, Zachariah was wrong."

"Of course," Castiel agreed. "But what specifically are you talking about?"

I laughed. "I'm talking about the fact that only a handful of angels have ever met the Father."
"Huh?" Castiel's frown deepened.

"Think about it," I said. "When you think about it, it will become more clear."

I stepped away from him, but he placed a restraining hand on my arm.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"To get some rest," I said. "I don't know about you, but the last year has been more exhausting than the previous ones."

He nodded and released my arm. I made my way to the main garden area and sank beneath the nearest tree. I closed my eyes and listened to the wind in Joshua's garden.