Once back at the bunker Elena stormed in without a word to the men following her. She was still fuming over Gabriel magically showing up. After thousands of years of him being gone, Elena had made herself get over him. Now here she was feeling all of the same horrible feelings that she felt the day that he left her.
She had ignored him the whole ride back to the bunker. Elena had even refused to sit in the back of the Impala with him. She wedged herself between Sam and Dean not caring if the Winchesters were uncomfortable. That is what they got for bringing Gabriel back with them!
Elena's sour mood vanished when Jack poked his head up from the table he was sitting at. He grinned his usually happy smile upon seeing his family.
"How did it go?"
He asked cheerfully. Elena mumbled some choice words about Gabriel under her breath earning herself a scowl from the archangel.
"Awful!"
Elena finally grumbled before storming into her room slamming the door. Jack titled his head looking to over to Cas. The angel looked as equally confused until he noticed Gabriel standing behind Sam.
"That explains everything."
He said gruffly. Gabriel and Cas exchanged a cold expression before Gabriel finally spoke.
"Okay, I'm an asshole! I get it."
"Can't argue there."
Dean replied with a smirk before going to get a beer out of the refrigerator. Gabriel had been so busy glaring at Dean he had forgotten the boy in the room that he didn't know. It wasn't until Jack spoke again that the archangel seemed to remember the unfamiliar face.
"Who is he?"
Jack asked curiously. Gabriel turned his body back in Jack's direction. He gave Jack the same curious expression.
"Who are you?"
He asked returning the question. Jack smiled.
"I'm Jack."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
"Well that tells me a lot. Guess my name is Joe then."
Sam rolled his eyes.
"That isn't his name Jack. This is your uncle Gabriel."
Gabriel's smirk had went from amusement to dead serious as he looked at Jack. He took in the boys appearance before clasping his hand over his mouth.
"Oh my dad!"
Dean nodded.
"Yeah, oh your dad is right. Don't worry he isn't evil. Kid doesn't even acknowledge Luci as his father."
Gabriel still looked as though he was putting everything together.
"I am just going to go over her and sit quietly for a moment."
Seeing the archangel completely silent and looking beyond baffled was an amusing sight for everyone in the room. Jack had planned to say something to his uncle but shrugged realizing that the guy didn't seem open for conversation. With a shrug, Jack went back to his happy normal ways.
It wasn't until Elena walked out did Gabriel open his eyes again. He looked up eagerly at Elena, hoping that a few moments of quiet had changed her mind. She looked a lot more like the girl that he remembered. Elena had taken off the trampy make up and changed into leggings and lose sweater. She looked like the beautiful girl that had originally stolen his heart.
The moment that she gave him a cold glare did Gabriel know that nothing had changed. Elena walked right past Gabriel before taking the empty plate that was resting in front of Jack.
"Have you eaten?"
She asked softly. Jack nodded with a smile.
"I had tuna. I don't like it."
Elena chuckled.
"Let me fix you something proper. Tuna isn't a good dinner."
Jack stood following Elena into the kitchen.
"You don't have to do that auntie. I don't need anything else."
Elena reached over tucking a strand of Jack's hair away from his face. Part of her adored the ways that he reminded her of Gabriel. Tonight, however, it was almost a curse. She could look in the living room and see Gabriel watching them like a hawk. She wasn't sure if he as jealous or curious.
She scoffed at the thought of Gabriel being jealous. What did he have to be jealous of? Did he honestly think that Elena would be interested in Jack like that? Surely he wasn't that crazy. At the moment Elena wasn't putting anything past him though.
"Are you sure?"
She asked softly. Jack nodded.
"I was reading a moment ago. Did you realize that it is Christmas Eve tomorrow night?"
Elena's emerald eyes rolled back to the boy's face. She had, for the most part, put Christmas out of her life many years ago. All it brought was memories of her life that she would never get back. Besides what fun was Christmas when you were alone?
"I honestly forgot."
She replied. Elena couldn't help feeling guilty. She should have looked at the calendar to see what day it was. There could have been some kind of Christmas planned for the boy.
Jack looked thoughtful.
"I read some of the customs. Presents, church services, family gatherings, and such….do we do any of those?"
Dean had wondered back into the kitchen for another beer.
"Well kid I am planning on having another beer and gonna pass out in front of the TV. Its gonna be a winner of a holiday for me."
Elena gave Dean a small disapproving frown. That was one of the last things that Jack needed to be hearing! Although Dean getting wasted was a fairly normal occurrence for this being Jack's first Christmas it should be somewhat special.
"We can find something to do Jack."
She said with a smile. Jack looked honestly excited.
"Great! I'll go get my coat."
He raced out of the room with an over excited smile.
Once he was out of the room, Dean opened his beer before leaning back against the counter. He looked at Elena with a pleased expression. Cas' master plan to have the once angel assist in the care and keeping of Jack was working splendidly.
"So what do you have planned?"
He asked. Elena groaned.
"No idea."
Gabriel appearing in the kitchen broke any thought process that Elena had.
"Elena you are going to have to talk to me sometime especially now that I know that you are mothering my nephew."
Elena had started pawing through a cabinet looking for cookie mix. Surely Sam and Dean hadn't eaten all of the cookie mix that she had bought a few weeks ago! Glancing over her shoulder at Gabriel, Elena considered ignoring him. Maybe if she ignored him long enough he would get the message and bail like he was good at.
"Nah, I don't have to do anything."
She replied coldly. Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
"You know you being this dismissive is a tad annoying! I am trying here. I mean actually trying! You, however, are biting my head off."
Elena snorted.
"Jeez I wonder why?"
Gabriel silently was trying to remember if Elena had always been this moody? He didn't think so. In the past he could get her to smile without much struggle or trying. If she was mad at him it took a charming smile or some kind of fluffy admission of love and all was good in their world again. Tonight, though, was not one of those nights.
"Wanna go on date with me?"
Gabriel asked. Dean laughed at that one. Gabriel shot the eldest Winchester a glare. The archangel didn't need any assistance when it came to repairing things with Elena.
Whether it be the thought of Gabriel doing something so stupid or the fact that she was honestly shocked Elena turned.
"No! Absolutely and positively no."
She snapped. Gabriel frowned.
"How can I fix something if you won't stop being a stubborn woman?"
Dean winced.
"Ick it was nice knowing you Mary."
Gabriel's golden eyes flickered to Dean. He chose to ignore Dean's snide comment as he looked back to Elena.
"I can fix this!"
Dean chuckled again. Elena was just waiting for Dean to cut in. If she had never been thankful for Dean Winchester she most certainly was now! He was antagonizing Gabriel so bad it was hilarious!
"That's a tall order for you Sally."
Gabriel scowled at Dean.
"I get it! You are calling me different girl names to get under my skin."
Dean pointed at Gabriel with a wink.
"You're catching on Peaches!"
Gabriel was giving Dean a furiously angry expression until Elena finally spoke again.
"Gabriel, how many sets of tits have you had your face in since we have been apart?"
Gabriel was quiet a moment. He was deciding whether he should be truthful or make up some shit eating story? The truth would be the best but at the same time it would probably infuriate Elena. If he lied then shit would definitely hit the fan later! The truth seemed to be the way to go!
Dean looked to Gabriel with a raised eyebrow.
"Gabe you shouldn't answer that!"
Gabriel sighed; turning to Elena.
"There's not a number sugar. So about that date and letting me make up?"
Elena was clearly disgusted.
"You're a pig!"
She growled before storming into the living room where Jack stood with his jacket in hand.
"I am ready auntie."
Elena tried to smile but she couldn't.
"Wonderful, just on time."
40 minutes later Elena and Jack sat in the upper balcony of a church that was in town. Jack was curiously watching the choir below as they sang Christmas carols to the congregation that had gathered. Elena had been trying to calm down since they had walked into the place. Watching the curious and peaceful expression on Jack's face was soothing in itself.
Although Elena had heard these songs thousands of times during her time on earth this time was different. Jack's had rested his face on his arm that lay on the balcony rail. He had been quiet for some time before turning and looking to Elena.
"So these people come to these services because it makes them happy?"
Elena nodded. She had barley looked at the congregation below. It had been a long time since she had really looked at a human! Before Michael had taken her grace she enjoyed watching the humans and doing what she could to help them along their way. She didn't like seeing people left to suffer. This had been what her father had commanded of her years before…be kind, be gentle. She was no solider nor would she ever be.
"Yes, they do. You see Jack, the humans, they worship God in their own ways…in their own voices. Some come to services while others stay home or do something different. Each way is unique and each way is special."
Jack looked thoughtful.
"Did everything happen the way that the preacher told it a moment ago?"
Elena looked thoughtful again. Jack watched her carefully as he waited for a response. To him, she looked young like the rest of his family. Her eyes alone, however told the story of her age.
"Somewhat."
Elena replied softly. She let her mind go back to the months leading up to the first Christmas. Her mind drifted to Gabriel. He had been so annoyed with God over everything that his father was asking of him.
Gabriel had spent the majority of his free time whining to Elena about everything that was happening.
"These human won't listen to me Elena! All they do is run around screaming and I have to threaten them to get a word in. I have been down there three times and the nicest one has been that virgin that is being affected by this calamity."
Elena had been sitting quietly as the archangel paced in front of her.
"Did she question you?"
Gabriel nodded.
"Well yes. Dude that is all sparkly and bright appears to you…you are probably going to ask questions."
Elena sighed.
"Please tell me that you didn't take her voice away like you did Zachariah or call her an arrogant dick like you did her fiance."
Gabriel stopped pacing at looked at her with a shocked expression.
"Oh please Elena! I am not that big a jerk! In her pediment I think she is entitled to questions. I felt sorry for her. I think I am just going to hold up a sign any time I have to appear to these humans that says, Fear Not! I'm an angel! I'm nice! Won't kill you! Don't ask questions or argue with me on the bases of reality on which I know about and you do not."
Elena chuckled as Gabriel lay back resting his head on her lap.
"That will be an awful big sign for you to carry about."
Elena's thoughts were disturbed by Gabriel's voice.
"I should have made that sign too."
Gabriel was smiling when both Elena and Jack turned to face him. Jack looked slightly confused.
"Sign?"
He questioned. His comment seemed to go unnoticed as Elena turned to face the archangel that was seated on her left side.
"Wouldn't have done you any good. What are you doing here anyway?"
She whispered coldly. Gabriel shrugged.
"Church, Christmas, angel….me particular because that's when I turn up in the holy book go together quiet nicely. Come now Elena surely you haven't forgotten how everything happened or has this time as a human left you with just the nasty parts of our….past?"
Elena looked ahead coldly.
"Oh I remember everything!"
Gabriel leaned back in the bench. He closed his eyes and looked as though he was just enjoying the choir music below for a few moments.
"Well that's a relief."
Elena rolled her eyes.
"You didn't answer my question. Why are you here?"
Gabriel's golden eyes snapped open.
"Can't a guy enjoy the holiday that he helped out with?"
Elena snorted.
"You bitched the whole time."
Gabriel smirked.
"And your point is? What else is new cupcake?" Okay fine you got me! I felt bad for what happened back there at Sam and Dean's hide out and I wanted to apologize. I'm sorry."
Elena looked at him like he was some sneaky five year old that got caught stealing candy and was apologizing to get back in Mom/Dad's good favor.
"Yeah, whatever."
She grumbled. Gabriel groaned.
"Tough crowd."
He considered saying some more but he didn't. Gabriel knew that he had a lot of crap to make up for and right now Elena wasn't falling for any of his old tricks. Instead of making up with his lover Gabriel was now stuck in a church with a bunch of singing humans making him think of a past that he would rather forget…
