Chronicles of Absolution: Fire and Femme Fatale... Oh My

Chapter 1

Now

The crashing sounds within the old abandoned house gave the impression that there was a raid going on and at least a whole squad of SWAT was in there trying to take down the suspect who was probably doped up on PCP or some other acid. Certainly the state of the room would say so with the toppled furniture and the general dishevelment of the place. Splintering wood and grunts and groans were common place of the situation that was about to get out of hand.

"Just shoot!"

Dean leveled the Taurus he had brought out and was aiming for the fugly he was about to shoot. He hesitated since he didn't want to risk hitting a friendly in spite of the fact that the monster they were after was starting to get the upper hand.

"Just shoot the damn thing!"

If it were possible Angela would have shot a death glare at Dean. At the moment it was impossible since she was hanging on for dear life on the freaking ass monster that she decided to play piggy back with. The lizard like creature, more likely related to the basilisk, had been killing folks who, of all things were killing lizards in front of it when it went about town. They tracked it down to its lair and were trying to take it out.

The direct approach seemed pretty good but they didn't take into account that it could actually cling to the ceiling if it wanted to. It got the drop on Sam and Dean and snapped and swiped. Dean got a nasty swipe across his arm and Sam got the bite and was now writhing in pain from the bite. Angela decided to take matters into her own hand and when the stupid fucking monster's back was turned, she leapt onto it and tried to strangle it.

That was fast turning into a mistake since the beastie kept ramming her into walls or into furniture in an attempt to knock her off. She held on though, and started shouting at Dean to shoot the thing. It was nothing special and anything could kill it whether it was silver or iron. It was a run of the mill flesh and blood creature. At the moment she was getting frustrated because Dean was hesitating. She had trust in his aim but it was becoming clear that he didn't and he didn't want to accidentally shoot her.

She didn't blame the man. After all they thought they lost her not too long ago to Lilith's machinations in Monument and technically they did. However they managed to get her back through the usual supernatural means and it seemed that the overprotectiveness was rearing its head again. It was their life though and she accepted that but she also knew that she would feel the same and did feel the same if it happened to either one of them. Balls!

After the last bash with a nearby bookcase, Angela decided to make things easy. They had to kill this thing. It was a hard struggle since she was trying to maintain a grip on the thing. She almost lost it when the monster bent over and dragged her body across the ground but she persevered and took the drag on the floor in a stride though she was considering a strong amount of sanitizer later. When she was upright, she managed to hold on with one hand while reaching for her belt with the other.

Dean did manage to get off a shot but missed. His shoulder and ribs were on fire but he kept his focus. He knew he was being too careful and if he didn't take a chance, worse could happen. He missed when the monster decided to drag Angela along the ground. Well he didn't miss completely since it seemed to hit the thing in the shoulder and it roared in pain. Come on Angie. Get clear and let me take a shot.

He thought it was stupid that she decided to leap onto the thing but then again she got down to business and was giving pay back for it getting the drop on him and Sam. It was a good distraction and she was getting it pissed but he was really afraid of hitting her. They only just got her back and he didn't want to be the cause of something that could kill her. After he missed he held the Taurus ready to fire again when he had a clear shot. It was then that he noticed that she was reaching for her belt. She had a plan and he would roll with that.

Angela gritted her teeth and reached for the knife she had on her belt. It took a moment to get it free without nicking herself in the process while holding onto a struggling damn ugly monster. Finally managing to get a good grip she held it in her hand just as the thing rammed her into the wall again. She held on and with all the strength she could muster, drove her knife down into the shoulder of the thing and shouted, "Shoot Dean, shoot!"

The monster roaring in pain reared back and moved to face Dean. It exposed the chest and he fired two shots. The monster swayed, still moving. It was one tough bastard. Dean was going to fire again when the thing swung around and Angela let go of the knife and the creature and with the force of the momentum, went over the balcony of the second floor landing of the house. Dean's eyes widened in fear that she was falling and was going to die from the fall.

Angela knew what she was doing and had let go. The force of momentum sent her over the railing but it allowed her to twist her body in perfect position. At the same time she pulled out her Beretta 92FS and fired five rounds into the beastie's head. She fell to the first floor with gravity but maneuvered her body into a half twist forward flip to make a landing on her feet. She landed on the first floor, going with the impact to land in a kneeling position and her arms were out to maintain her balance. It was followed by the creature falling into the ground behind her dead as a doornail. She muttered, "Beat that Nastia Liukin."

It was only then that Angela took in a deep breath and stood up. Her finger was still on the trigger as she turned to make sure that the thing was dead. She looked at the body with a bland expression while verifying that the thing was dead. When she was sure, she flipped the safety on and holstered her weapon and went to retrieve her knife. She couldn't afford to lose another one.

"You all right Angie?"

Angela looked at her bloodstained knife and made a slight face. "Yeah I'm good. Lizard face here isn't." She continued to look at the thing. "Are you two all right?"

Dean leaned over where the lizard man went over and saw Angela looking down at the corpse. That was a badass move but completely stupid in terms of just letting go like that. He thought she was really going to fall and hurt herself. He replied sarcastically, "Yeah I'm fine. Just bleeding out from a few scratches and Sam here is getting beauty sleep."

Angela looked directly up. "Did he get bitten?"

"Lizard man decided he was a Sasquatch snack."

Angela didn't say anything as she ran back up the flight of stairs. Her coat billowed out behind her as she reached for a small bag that she had strapped around her under it. She got up to the second floor and went to where Dean was kneeling by Sam who was holding his arm and trying hard not to cry out in pain. She could tell it hurt because she had been bitten by one of them lizard faces before and it was a pain in the ass. She kneeled and gently pried Sam's fingers away to reveal icky black goo mingled with the familiar crimson of blood. "Alright, alright."

Sam held still but he felt like his muscles were spasming in his arm. He gritted his teeth because every time he tried to move his arm, intense pain shot through it. "Gah… hurts."

Angela studied the bite as she pulled something out of her bag. Dean recognized it as that rot she smashed the last time Sam got poisoned. In his mind he thought Sam was a magnet for the worst things possible. He was surprised when she put it back in her bag and then pulled something else out. It looked like some sort of slime and Dean was certain that she had gone off the deep end when she uncorked it. "What are you doing?"

Angela looked at Dean, "This is what will neutralize the toxin." She looked at Dean with a silent plea for him to trust her.

Dean nodded and watched as she took a breath and muttered, "This is going to hurt like hell Sam but it will help."

Sam nodded. Nothing could be worse than what he was feeling now. He was quite wrong though. It felt like his skin was on fire and he jerked to try and get away but Angela held him steady with a firm hand and Dean had a death grip even with one arm. It was agonizing as she kept pouring and rinsing it off and it seemed like forever until it turned into a dull throb. At that point she pulled out some ripped pieces of sheets and tied it around the bite. "That will do until we get back to the motel."

"What the hell was that?" Dean couldn't help but ask as he helped his brother to his feet.

"You know that certain creatures have lethal bites. Some are specific like the vampires and werewolves," Angela replied as she packed up her stuff. The vial she used to cleanse Sam's wound was near empty when she looked at him. She made a slight face at that prospect of making some more. That was guaranteed to get them thrown out. "Lizard face, well his species have toxins in their bites. It renders the victim into a state of paralysis if enough time was allowed and they enjoy their meal and the victim is still alive to see the whole thing. Basically a snake eating its dinner."

Angela stood up and tucked her bag back into its place. She pulled out her Beretta to check the magazine and put it back in. "Sam was lucky. That was a large injection of toxins. It could have killed him." She looked around as if to see if there were any more of their lizard friends hiding nearby. She didn't want to get into another altercation but she was ready.

"I take it you've had another patient with this kind of bite," Sam asked as he rotated his arm gently to shake Dean off. He could walk. He wasn't crippled or anything.

"I was the patient," Angela replied as she came back from a final check. She glanced with a pensive look at Sam's arm. It was going to be swollen but at least he wasn't in any danger… unless he did something stupid and got it infected. "I was supposed to be bloody retired," she continued as she led the way down the stairs, reaching into her pocket. She paused at the dead lizard body and pulled out a tube that filled her hand.

"Retired?" Dean asked the question as he followed his brother down. He took the hint that Sam could make it on his own but he was keeping an eye on that arm. "You retired from hunting?" He couldn't believe it.

"Well semi-retired," Angela replied as she broke the tip of the vial with her thumb and forefinger. "Got called on a case because the Centurion thought a foolish human was taking out one lizard head when in reality he was walking into a trap. So I went." She poured the liquid onto the dead beast. "I ended up getting ambushed and the foolish human saved me."

Sam and Dean watched as the body began to dissolve. Dean asked, "Clean up formula?"

Angela watched as the body dissolved. It had been a while since she used the stuff but then again she always had a cleanup crew at her disposal. After the last few incidents, she had to get creative and dug out her dusty alchemist recipes. This one dissolved practically anything and left virtually no trace of a fugly. "Yep. I used up all my minutes so I pulled out the reserves."

Once the body was dissolved to her satisfaction, Angela flicked the empty tube away and heard it shatter. Job was done. She led the way back to the Impala and held out her hand to Dean. When he didn't respond, she wriggled her fingers.

Dean knew exactly what she was after and was being a petulant child about it. Sam didn't car and got in shotgun. "I can drive Angie," Dean pointed out.

Angela raised a brow as she eyed the nasty gash on his arm. It was deep in some areas and would require stitches. He was lucky that he had turned at the last moment otherwise he would have been bleeding out and that would have meant a hospital and awkward explanations and info cards as well as insurance forms which would be a family argument since a last checkup ended up with her using her insurance card and Dean threw a fit about being able to pay for it himself. "Seriously? You might want to try that on me if you didn't have Hulk size claw marks on your shoulder and rib cage. Hand them over."

"No way you bossy hag," Dean shot back.

Angela was more amused at the fact that he was trying to insist on doing everything when even she could tell that he was ready to collapse from his injuries and exhaustion. She knew he hated showing any perceived weaknesses but this was ridiculous. She was the healer in this little family. She gave a slight nod and replied, "Alright Dean. Since you are going to make this difficult… If you don't give me the keys, I will personally give you a concoction that will make everything you eat taste like a salad including your beloved pie."

Dean opened his mouth in shock. It had been a long time since she actually threatened him like that and the last time was when she was in a thirteen year old body. He then narrowed his eyes, "You're bluffing."

"Try me," Angela replied as she crossed her arms and leaned towards him with her eyes narrowed. "Dean, priority is Sam remember? He had a nasty bite and you have nasty gashes."

Dean knew he was defeated and that she was right. He wasn't doing it on purpose but it seemed that ever since they left that place outside of Sioux Falls, she had been trying to do things he and Sam could do themselves. Mostly it was the domestic stuff like the laundry but then she started getting bossy on their eating habits. Sam didn't suffer too much on that. When he tried to talk to her about it, she said that she wanted to do it and left it at that. He knew something was up but she wasn't talking and it seemed more evident if he brought up the subject of her special project and occasionally when he mentioned Rose the car.

Seeing that she was waiting, Dean surrendered the keys and got into the backseat. She was right and as soon as he hit the backseat, he felt his eyes growing heavy. He forced himself to stay awake all the way back to the motel. He kept them awake as she checked Sam's arm and almost smiled at how gentle she was with it as she put some ice on it to get the swelling to come down. She wouldn't talk about it but she was showing it and that was a start.

Dean's turn came and he thought he was being tortured as she cleaned out the gashes which were full of dirt and she used a stronger antiseptic. "What are you doing? It feels like I'm on the rack."

"This is nothing like the rack," Angela muttered as she cleaned the gashes. The ones on the shoulder required stitches but even then Dean would have to be careful in his movements or risk opening them. "Quit being a baby. You've had worse," Angela added and gave a slight smile.

Dean looked at the stitches on his shoulder and then down at his rib cage where she was dabbing the last of the gashes with the blood stained rag with the antiseptic. He hated to lose to her but he could take it, "Yeah. I had my ass kicked by a furry wolf man."

"And held up pretty good," Angela replied as she finished applying the antiseptic. She picked up the gauze that she got and began covering the gashes. She was quick and gentle in an effort to make it up to him for the stinging sensation of the antiseptic. "There all done and because you were such a good boy, you get a lollipop." She reached into her bag and pulled out one and held it out to Dean.

Sam started sniggering but it turned quickly to laughter. Angela was giving a smirk still holding it out and was about to burst into laughter. They both were looking at the expression on Dean's face that was looking at them like they were crazy. When he didn't respond, Angela said, "You don't want it? This delicious cherry lollipop? Okay."

Dean tried to play it off as he grabbed her by the arm and took the lollipop. He said, "You are evil."

"You love me," Angela replied with a smile. She gave Dean a kiss on the cheek and picked up her stuff. She paused and gave Sam a kiss on his cheek and walked to the door and headed towards her room.

"Please tell me she did what I think she did," Dean asked as he held the lollipop.

Sam shook his head as he got his laughter under control and adjusted the ice pack on his arm. It still throbbed but the ice dulled it and it would reduce the swelling. "Let it go Dean. She's just trying to get under your skin."

"We," Dean motioned using the hand that held the sucker towards the door and himself, "have sparring matches." He then made a slight face as he popped it in his mouth. "She just happens to know how to play dirty."

"She plays fair."

"Shut up Sam." Dean continued to suck on the lollipop as he sat on his bed.

"Jerk," Sam muttered.

The ice melted pretty fast and Sam needed to get more. He didn't relish the idea of going to sleep with ice but his arm was pretty sore. Dean was fast asleep and the lollipop was half hanging out of his mouth. It was too good an opportunity to pass up. Sam reached for his phone and took a picture before getting the ice bucket to grab more ice. He didn't bother to pull the lollipop out. If Dean got it stuck on him, it was his own fault.

The trip to the bin was a walk down the row of rooms. Sam heard a couple of sounds that suggested activities that Dean would likely be engaged in. He made a slight face and continued down the way towards the ice bin. He only stopped when he saw Angela coming towards him carrying a can of soda. He gave a slight smile and said, "If you wanted some caffeine you should get coffee… unless you plan on getting drunk."

Angela held the can and replied, "I didn't want either."

"Then what is that?" Sam made a slight gesture with his arm pointing at it.

Angela looked at it and then started chuckling. "Oh yes I was intending to get drunk on this." She Held up the can so that Sam could read it.

Sam realized his mistake once he read the can and started laughing with her. He should have known better. She didn't get drunk unless she wanted to and that was really never. She stayed well away from the stuff ever since Grant. He should have known that she would have gone for the fruit juice in the can. He replied, "More likely a sugar high."

"I need a little sugar," Angela replied, "Gotta keep up with the calories."

Sam wasn't sure if she was teasing or not and decided to err on the side of caution. "You doing okay Angie? You aren't um…"

Angela smiled and replied, "I'm doing fine Sam. I just wanted to go for a walk and then I had a craving for something sweet. The apple juice just seemed like a good idea. Nothing's wrong. I promised... okay?" She peered at Sam's expression with slight confusion.

Sam took in her confused expression and realized he must have been staring at her funny. He replied, "Okay. Sorry about that." He rotated his arm and winced slightly at the throbbing. "Um I was just getting ice. Ran out."

"I can see that," Angela replied. "You want some company?"

Sam shrugged his shoulders. "Sure unless you were…"

"Nothing going on," Angela replied as she held her can in one hand and adjusted her gauntlet slightly. She had taken to wearing them with whatever. It just seemed to fit. She turned to let Sam lead the way and walked in step beside him. "So Dean let you out of the house to play?"

"Guard dog fell asleep," Sam replied, "with his sucker."

Angela chuckled at the mental image. That was just plain funny. "You know it'll get stuck somewhere on him if it falls out of his mouth."

"His own fault."

"True."

Sam gave a slight sigh. After what happened in Sheridan and then their trail to visit the shaman and then Monument, he tried to make his conversations with her less on politeness and more on the friendly footing they had before. To him it was a bit of a tightrope act but he quickly realized that she meant what she said when she said she forgave him for what he said and it seemed like she was willing to put it behind her but also following his lead in terms of topics.

It was a short walk to the bins and Sam had to think fast since Angela seemed content to just be silent. "I think you startled him with your kiss."

"My intention. I rarely show you two any appreciation and it seemed like a good idea," Angela replied honestly. "Consider it a thank you if you like or just a sister giving her favorite brothers a good night kiss." That was partially the truth since she really meant it when she gave Sam his kiss. However she was going to stick to her plan and Dean's suggestion of letting a little bit of how she felt show. To Sam it would seem like a friendly gesture and she found that it would be sufficient for her. "Like family."

Sam nodded in agreement. They were at the ice bin and suddenly found himself holding onto the can of juice while Angela took the ice bucket and started shoveling ice in for him. When she started laughing to herself, he asked, "Something about that ice is funny to you?" He gave a slight frown in puzzlement.

Angela normally didn't make light of her own injuries so much. However seeing the ice and the memory that accompanied it; she couldn't help herself. She replied, "Just remembering when I was the patient in your predicament. After the poison was cleansed out I think I freaked out my rescuer when I walked into a giant walk in refrigerator and sat in there for roughly thirty or so minutes and didn't bat an eye."

Sam accepted the ice bucket back and handed her the can of juice. He watched as she used her eye teeth to puncture a drinking hole rather than pop the top. Her explanation was an old habit and something about canned goods way back when. He then said, "Well your above average body temperature makes that possible. I guess it would freak out anyone."

"Well he wasn't too freaked out. After what he had seen and what I did… He was rather surprised I was still around." Angela took a sip of the juice. It was still pretty cold and it felt good going down.

"This hunter have a name?"

"Of course and I met him previously. The first time though as my true self was when his son was in the hospital waiting for a tonsillectomy." Angela looked at Sam and confirmed, "Yeah, your dad saved me from those lizard heads. Surprised me too."

It was a surprise to Sam. He figured that his dad and Angela met at some point on a hunt but he didn't think that they met when Dean had gotten his operation. He remembered Dean mentioning this cool nurse and there was pie and egg nog. To hear that John Winchester saved her life, it had him wondering. He always had the feeling that they were supposed to work together and it seemed like it had been encouraged by her meeting his dad. "What was Dad like then as a hunter?"

"Same as he was before… Thing was, he could never stop talking about you and Dean when we chased a lead. He talked about your good grades and Dean's devotion to working with you on homework and his first sawed off shotgun… I never met someone who loved his boys so much." Angela then stopped herself and saw Sam to his and Dean's room saying good night.

She went to where the ice bin was and heard, "You really do have a good bedside manner love."

A/N: 2.13 takes off with a hunt with some monster that gives a nasty bite to Sam and scratches to Dean but what else is new? Sam and Angie do have a nighttime conversation that ends with her telling more of her thoughts on John Winchester and a surprise visitor drops in. Stay tuned for more on Fire and Femme Fatale...