Chapter 4
Kara kept her distance as Gabriel pulled Sam, Dean, and Cas aside to explain that they could definitely benefit from adding the Valkyrie to Team Free Will. Besides, the only way to get rid of her would be to kill her, which Gabriel was surprisingly reluctant to do. Gabriel then called Kara over to answer the humans' questions and clarify a few key points. After which, Sam and Dean reluctantly agreed to allow Kara to join them. After cleaning up the clearing, the five of them piled into the Impala since neither the angels or the Valkyrie had enough juice to teleport. This left Kara sitting rather awkwardly in the back seat between the two angels.
Soon they reached the bunker. Sam told Gabriel and Kara to each pick a room, while Dean walked Cas to his usual room. They all needed to rest and recharge. Sam and Dean headed to their own rooms to sleep, exhausted from weeks of trying to save Cas.
The next day Gabriel manifested a massive amount of chocolate chip pancakes with strawberries, whip cream, and several kinds of syrup. After breakfast, Sam and Dean said they were searching for cases while they were actually researching Valkyries. Kara browsed the Men of Letters library, pretending not to know what they were doing. Gabriel manifested a complete set of the Winchester Chronicles, including the unpublished works detailing the Apocalypse, for her to read while Cas brought Gabriel up to speed on all that had happened with the angels since his 'death'.
Sam and Dean learned that Valkyrie literally means 'Chooser of the Slain', supernatural women who choose those who will die in battle. They deliver half of the battle-dead to Freyja, the Goddess of Lust and Battle, who has first pick from among the slain. They deliver the second half of the battle-dead to Odin in Valhalla. Valkyries are also said to serve as companions, lovers, or wives to Odin's chosen warriors and considered to be great warriors in their own right. They even found a mention of Kara in the Helgakvida Saga, learning that her name means 'the wild, stormy one'.
Satisfied that Kara posed no real threat to his little brother, Dean took Cas to go get lunch and supplies, while Gabriel decided to explore the bunker. Kara put down the book she was reading and sat down to help Sam look for the next job. He walked her through all the different ways that Hunters use to sift through information to find cases. She was impressed observing his mind work, this warrior definitely had brains to match his brawn. They printed up information on a few different case possibilities and set them aside to go over with the others.
When Dean and Cas returned they all sat down to eat while Sam went over potential cases with Dean. The brothers chide what appeared to be vampire nest in Peyton, Colorado; deciding to leave first thing in the morning. About halfway through lunch Sam stood, asking if anyone else wanted a beer while he was up.
"Have the Valkyrie do it," said Gabriel, waggling his eyebrows at Kara suggestively, "That is part of your job description isn't it, servicing warriors?"
Kara narrowed her eyes at the Archangel, "Valkyries don't service warriors, we occasionally let them earn the opportunity to service us. Besides, while I have served in Valhalla, I spent most of my time in Midgard or in Folkvangr with Freyja."
"Speaking of which, whatever happened to Freyja?" asked Gabriel.
"Freyja took her warriors with her to Freyr in Alfheimr," answered Kara.
"I can think of only one thing that could keep you here instead of frolicking in fairyland with the divine twins," observed Gabriel. "You had a charge. Even with Odin dead and Asgard sealed, you stayed. What happened?"
"He died. Without my full powers, even I can't save a man from being hit by a semi-truck while riding a motorcycle" answered Kara.
"And Freyja just left you behind, powerless?"
"I may be cut off from Odin and Freyja," replied Kara, "but I'm not entirely powerless." She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. The amber stone at her throat began to glow, and when she opened her eyes they shone with the same golden light.
Gabriel inhaled a quick breath, "She gave you a piece of the Brisingamen!"
Kara allowed her eyes to return to their normal blue, "My Lady left me with the means to recharge at least some of my powers. While I no longer have immortality or the ability to travel between the worlds, I still have my strength and some healing."
"So long as you re-charge," snickered Gabriel, "Oh Samsquatch, you're going to love this!"
"What?" asked Sam warily.
"The Brisingamen allows the wearer to turn sexual energy into power," replied a laughing Gabriel, "and you my friend, are a walking, talking battery."
