I DO NOT OWN SUPERNATURAL

Castiel had landed in a hallway of an apartment complex. He was at the top of the stairs. He turned right down a short stretch of hallway before turning left at the end. On both sides of the narrow hall were doors. He walked past them until he came to a door where he felt an angel's presence. He knocked.

"Come in," said someone on the inside of the door. Castiel entered only to find Gabriel in a recliner close to the door and at an angle to the door that was positioned so it's back wasn't facing the door but the sitter would have to look over his shoulder to see who had come in. He also had a bottle of beer in hand. "Ah, Castiel, what can I do for you?" Gabriel asked in a board tone as he took a swig and looked away from Castiel.

"Is there any way to strengthen my connection to Heaven?" Castiel asked.

Gabriel turned to look at him. "It's fading?" he asked.

"It is."

"Bummer," Gabriel said as he turned around again.

"Do you know any way to strengthen the connection?"

"Can't say that I do," Gabriel took another swig.

"Do you know anyone that can strengthen the connection?"

"No one that I can think of," Gabriel turned to look at Castiel. "Look, your connection is fading and if what I think is happening is happening, you'll become human. Simple as that." Gabriel turned around again and took another swig.

"But I can't lose my powers, I need them."

"Tough," another swig.

"What will I do without them?"

"Get a day job."

Castiel thought about what Gabriel had said. He watched as Gabriel took another swig. He thought about what he had heard in Heaven, any thing he could use to help him. "I'll be useless in the Apocalypse without them, isn't there any thing you can think of?

"NO THERE IS NOT!" Gabriel shouted taking another, longer drink this time.

At that moment and idea popped into Castiel's head. "What about Archangel Azrael?"

At that question Gabriel spit out his beer. Azrael and Gabriel were rumored to be friends in Heaven and Azrael was known to be able to make connections between Heaven and Earth. Whether it was a connection for an Angel and a vessel or a prophet, Azrael was the angel for the job. Castiel thought Azrael could do the same for him. "How do you know about Azrael?" Gabriel asked, leaning forward in his chair and coughing out beer.

"It was rumored that you two were close and awhile ago Azrael was nowhere to be found in Heaven. If he ran from Heaven, he would have sought you out, right?"

Gabriel stood up, wiped beer from his lips, and turned around to Castiel. "You need to leave," he said, pointing to the door.

"He would have looked for you, wouldn't he have? He could make the connection between me and Heaven strong again, couldn't he?"

"You really need to leave," Gabriel said again more forcefully, pointing again at the door, and coughing out a little more beer.

Castiel took a step forward. "Please, help me," he said.

Gabriel pointed at the door again. "Out," he said jabbing his finger at the door for emphasis. Castiel didn't budge, he just stared at Gabriel. Gabriel continued to point at the door, having a staring contest with Castiel. Gabriel sighed and let his arm drop. He closed his eyes, looked to the side, ran his hand through his hair and sighed. He let his hand drop again. "Azrael isn't going to like me much," he muttered under his breath.

"So, you'll help?" Castiel asked.

Gabriel looked at Castiel."No, I'll talk to Azrael. If he wants to help, he'll help, but it's his choice."

"Thank you," Castiel said as he turned to leave before stopping as another thought hit him. He turned back to ask, "Could you ask if he'll help Bobby Singer, too?"

"Bobby? You mean that old guy?"

"Yes."

"What happened to him that he needs help?"

"In a fight he lost the ability to use his legs."

"Oh, well if I'm talking to him about you, I might as well mention him as well. But I can't make any promises."

"Thank you," and with that said, Castiel turned around, opened the door, and left.

Gabriel plopped down in his chair. He pulled the handle to raise the recliner and watched as his feet popped up. He covered his face with his hands and groaned. "Aazzy's gonna hate me," he muttered. He looked out from between his fingers at his socked feet. 'Might as well get this over with,' he thought before disappearing with the sound of beating wings, leaving the apartment empty.

Posted 3/24/10