Sam knew things were bad when the dream visits by Lucifer stopped. No more shallow promises. No sweet nothings. They just stopped and he knew deep down that he hadn't had one since before Carthage. Since after Dean and the fallen angel's face off; if you could have even called it that. It was unnerving.

The questioning he'd had prepared to grill Dean with hadn't gone as he'd wished. Dean had instead fired question after question at Cas as they drove the something and a half hours back to South Dakota. Asking the angel if he had ways to hide himself like he could hide them with their sigil'd ribs. After a moment of contemplation Castiel had admitted that he had not thought of that. He knew of a way. It would take time for him to locate the means. The hesitancy in which he spoke didn't comfort the younger brother.

"Dean?" He called to the other bed. Sam didn't know why he was trying to wake his older brother. Dean hadn't been getting enough sleep as it were. Maybe it was because he looked to be sleeping so deeply. Something he hadn't done in so long. Mostly it was because he was sure Dean was now receiving the nocturnal visits and knowing Dean his brother wouldn't mention anything unless there were no other option; even then he'd have to practically pull teeth to get confirmation. "Dean?"

"What is it Sammy?" his brothers sleep ladden voice replied.

"Nevermind. It's nothing." Sam whispered as he watched Dean fallen instantly back asleep. He'd ask Castiel instead. He'd probably be able to get something out of Dean better then he could anyway. And no. That did not inspire jealousy.

~o~

The bloodlines that were special- The ones that allowed Angels to house in their bodies- were numerous. Allowing every angel in heaven to come to earth if need be. The catch though depended on their chosens compatibility. Not everyone would get their true vessel. The closest one can achieve is most common- Castiel and his Jimmy Novak for instance. For those of an arcangels rank it was more tricky. No matter how true a vessel, damage would always be bestowed upon it's flesh and mind. Although true that a small amount of time in a vessel would limit the amount of damage, the corresponding angel would have to have cared not to inflict damage.

No... true compatibility was perfection; much like Gabriel's host. The vessel and the Angel- one in the same. Water and water. Two pieces connected seamlessly. This kind of fusion could only take hold with the being God had made only once. Sealed with a kiss.

No other had come after despite the hopeful longing his and his brethren had breathed. This gift that had been bestowed upon Michael. This special being that had the ability to merge two destined life forms so seamlessly. That could augment another's power exponentially. That could exist on earth without a vessel.

It was because of him that Gabriel had managed to escape Heaven as he did after Lucifer's fall. Purely by accident too. The Fae called him the Bright One. Having already deserted Heaven a short time after Lucifer's Fall, and having become quite attuned to the "Heavenly Ones", sensing Gabriel's mad dash for freedom was like a flash grenade going off in your face. It was that noticeable for him. Still so new to the ways of man, even in his second incarnation, he had sought him out.

~o~

Gabriel could remember exactly how he felt the moment he set eyes on this strange human being. The first one he'd laid eyes on since finding his true vessel. This man walking ever so calmly towards him. A human who didn't look comfortable in his own skin; like he was still getting used to his body though he looked in his prime.

The angel had immediately thought demon, knowing a few stragglers still roamed earth. His senses on the other hand told him human despite the obvious awkwardness the man possessed. Undecided on how he should greet this, he nevertheless remained alert as the figure grew closer. With the slow walk the man utilized, Gabriel was able to scrutinize at his will; not that he would allow the human being to influence how he should act. His skin was a dark tone, not native to the area, with hair as black as pitch that hung to his shoulders in loose curls. His clothes were as simple as his own were. Still so new to this plain of existence Gabriel couldn't help but feel the human reaction of fight or flight. It was the man's body language that put him on edge more than anything. And with the power to smite, he was but a hair trigger away. That is, until he glimpsed those impossibly green eyes; eyes he'd only ever seen on one.

"Limlal?" Gabriel gasped. What? How? The last he'd ever seen of him had been during the war.

The man frowned. "I thought you had come for me." He replied. "This is not true?"

Still unable to look away, and honestly still that side of speechless, he merely shook his head no.

The man looked to the skies. The bright light of noon shining down on the special being.

"Then another reason." This was a statement, and Gabriel had no qualms about it. Ever since his disappearance from heaven, an all out search had been issued. He hadn't been located. To find him- to have him approach him seemingly out of the blue meant something. "You are hiding."

"I am." The angel admitted.

"You are not hidden enough." It took a moment for Gabriel to understand what he meant. Until the younger man gestured to his body. "You are still so very bright."

He looked down at himself. Bright? He was concealing his grace- he even felt heavier because of it. His host was practically at the forefront of his mind. The resultant damage from the possession would be minimal as long as he refrained from the use of his grace.

"I will help." He smiled for the first time. "It is what friends do, is it not?"

The implications of this very offer hit Gabriel full on the chest. He wasn't given time to voice his thoughts on the matter.

Gabriel jerked awake from his lazy boy. A rerun of Giligan's Island playing on his flatscreen. He immediately snapped himself a cup of scotch. The taste more than anything able to soothe his nerves; as getting drunk was impossible for him. After his third cupful he finally let himself think about the recollection. A memory he'd thought long buried in the depths of his subconscious. A memory he willingly put under lock and key because of the personal hurt he'd gained after the meeting.

After an internal debate that had him wishing for another option, he finally decided perhaps he needed to pay Team Freewill a visit. After all, he had a strong feeling Castiel maybe able to help him with something. What that something was, was something he was afraid to voice even in his thoughts.

A/N

XD Finally posted the chapter! ^_^ I've actually had this done awhile ago but had no internet in which to post. -_- Hopefully I'll have more updates this year then last, yes? :3 Anyway, tell me your thoughts! Good? Bad? The next chapter is going to be a bit of a doozy. O_O I kind of dread it.

I hope you enjoyed the read nevertheless.

XII