Chapter 4

Gabriel took a look around the place. It was one of those old houses with history and boasted of a resort like air along with rooms to rent and the like for any occasion. It even included the mineral springs. It was perfect. He looked at the annoying bitch who was simpering for his business and said, "I'll take it. Make sure that the guests on the list have rooms."

Maggie Clawson could hardly believe her luck. The conference that was held the day before was a disaster along with the caretaker saying that the playroom was ready but the kids would have to be careful with the toys. Apparently Old Henry had gotten to him too. It was a load of crock. That room was a gold mine as a daycare and yet everyone was fighting her on this.

It was fortunate that this gentleman came by stating that he was looking for a place to host a surprise birthday party for a very special friend. He wanted complete access to all the resort attractions and the biggest room available for the party. Anything else scheduled was more than welcome.

Maggie spent the day showing him everything and he decided to take his business there. She replied, "Oh I will do that. The staff here is fully capable of making sure all your guests' needs are met."

A thought then crossed Gabriel's mind. He knew that the place had little bungalows. It would be nice to have some fun; sort of like that reality show with the housemates. He asked, "Do you happen to have a two bedroom bungalow available?"

"Yes two but one is being remodeled. The other though is free."

"Perfect," Gabriel said as he politely took back the list and circled three names. He handed it back to the lady and said, "Put these three in there."

"Anything you want sir." Maggie glanced on the list at the three names he had circled. One happened to be the one who was getting the surprise party. She figured they must be family or something. She wasn't going to ask since the gentleman paid the required fees and then some. She could see that he wanted this event to succeed. Now if she could just get that bothersome caretaker to…

"I leave everything in your capable hands," Gabriel said and took his leave. He had no doubt she would do everything he requested even if some of it was the most ridiculous. She was a businesswoman and all she saw was dollar signs and he knew shindigs like what he was planning cost a lot. He glanced at a nearby clock and figured that everyone had gotten their invitations by now. He chuckled at the thought of when they realized that they had been had. Of course she would get it immediately but that was just the beginning.

Gabriel decided to take a tour of the grounds but so no one could see him. Once he was out of sight, he activated his angel mojo and went invisible man. He went to the springs to take a look at them and he was pleased.

"Up to your old tricks again, Brother?"

Gabriel turned and gave a grin, "Hey sis. What brings you down to my corner of the world?"

Seraph looked at her brother with that piercing gaze he once compared to one of their younger brothers. At least he didn't call her a cute puppy. She would have attempted a half smite on him. She replied, "I am the emissary and I can sense energies at work. That was quite a number you did a few months ago."

"Just the mysterious case of returning a traveler back to his own time," Gabriel replied.

"Ah yes, the wayward sailor who befriended Absolution."

"You know she doesn't like being called that sis."

"Call it respect for who she is," Seraph countered. Ever since Gabriel dropped in when Absolution gave up her powers, Seraph decided to try and rebuild the relationship with her brother. It was trying since he was keeping a low profile and he was still an assbutt. "The use of such power does not go unnoticed. I could have shown up right then and there but I didn't once I figured out it was you."

"Am I supposed to thank you?" Gabriel turned to look at his sister. "Look if you came to lecture me about how his leaving without saying goodbye except in a note was a douchey thing to do then save your breath. You know how that stuff works. I had only a limited time and he took it."

"So you are trying to make it up to her?" Seraph frowned a little, puzzled at what he was actually doing.

Gabriel studied the look of confusion. Her brief foray into interacting with Cat and the Winchesters had been good for her and now she was curious. Go free will. He replied, "You could say that. I just happen to know what time of year it is and I figured I was long overdue for the good times we used to have." He turned to look at the springs and watched as the ripples formed from the slight breeze.

"So you are playing one of your pranks?"

"You know me well sis but not too well. It is a prank but then it isn't. If this goes off right, she will know it was me."

"So you don't even intend to show your face?" The disapproval was evident in Seraph's voice. In her mind this spoke of cowardice even for Gabriel. As far as she knew, her brother was never afraid of anything.

Gabriel gave a slight shake of his head as he smirked. "You got a lot to learn sis. It's complicated between me and Cat. At least this will show her that I haven't forgotten her."

"Complicated," Seraph spat in a slight scoff. "You make things complicated. You always could do that but I understand."

"You think so sis?"

"I have eyes and Father gave me a step up from our other siblings," Seraph replied, "Though I think a few are discovering a few things." She paused a moment before continuing, "I know she means a lot too you and I am not going to pretend I understand all of it. I have to ask though: are you sure doing whatever you're doing is the right thing?"

Gabriel had always liked Seraph. She was his favorite little sister and of course he had his favorite little brother. Seraph was young but she did have Dad's little extra and it was what the gods were given though most forgot. He replied, "Seraph, Cat has lived longer than any one person of her kind. In human terms, that makes her the freak of the bunch. I've seen what happens when old age catches up to them. Every year she ages, she is reminded of that. I started the sort of tradition of giving her a prank. It kept her going. But because I am an ass, the last few years…"

"So you want to revive that?"

"Just to let her know that I am still here."

Seraph thought about that for a moment. She still wasn't sure but she knew her brother and his ways. She replied, "I think I understand. I won't say anything but just be careful on how you use your powers." The last part came out a bit worried. It was a testament to how much she still cared for her brother even though he was, as he put it, an ass.

"I've had plenty of practice sis. You want to join in?"

Seraph looked at her brother. He was asking her to join in on a prank? It sounded absurd but it was an olive branch. "Alright. What do you need me to do?"


Darrell was worried. The first conference went well and the kids did behave in the playroom. The toys were more or less intact and nobody tried to get into the closet to touch the horse. There were a few incidents that Thomas pulled pranks but they were mild. At least the guests didn't complain and they thought that they were just flukes.

What had Darrell worried was that there was going to be some big hoopla but at the same time there was some event for kids going on nearby. He thought once was bad enough and he figured that he was going to have to talk to the ghost again to convince him not to be too hard on things.

He went about carefully cleaning everything in the playroom. He had Mary Beth take care of the larger rooms and Mrs. Graham was supervising the rooms that guests would be sleeping in as well as the bungalow. The staff of the maids and kitchen was doing their thing and they weren't grumbling since they were getting well paid for the services since the big hoopla was being hosted by some big shot. That and they could get pretty big tips.

Darrell finished dusting the table with the toys on it when he felt a sudden chill. He took a breath and saw the smoke. He turned around and saw Thomas standing there. He swallowed the urge to yelp in fright. It wouldn't do any good to do that since people thought he was crazy for listening to Old Henry and actually believing him.

"You kept your promise."

Darrell breathed in relief to calm himself. He replied, "You asked that no one touched you horse."

"I don't like people touching my things. These kids were good." Thomas stood looking at Darrell. He held his riding helmet under his arm.

Darrell swallowed a little and replied, "The owners want to use the room again. Can they use your toys?" He hoped that the ghost would be agreeable to that. He really didn't have any choice but Darrell didn't want anything to happen to the kids since Thomas seemed serious about what he wanted to do.

Thomas looked at Darrell. The look was blank. "I don't like people touching my things."

"I have no control over that. The owners want to use the room. I do promise to keep the closet locked. No one will touch your horse." Darrell knew he sounded desperate but he had to make Thomas see where he was coming from. What he didn't know was that spirits didn't often see shades of grey.

"You kept your word. Henry kept his word."

Darrell pointed at the closet and the adjustments he had made. They blended in so the special lock wouldn't tempt any nosy kid. He had a young nephew and that kid liked to get into everything. "Look I made a lock so no one can get in there and touch your horse."

"I saw. You also let me have fun."

"Will you let us use your playroom this season?" Darrell tried to make it sound like he wasn't begging.

"As long as no one touches my horse." The ghost remained expressionless but it was easy to see that he meant what he said.

"Done."

"I still like to have fun," Thomas said.

Darrell could nod in agreement. The guests seemed to like that too. They found it funny when some of the guests who were known goofballs ended up getting a joke done on them. The owners thought that the staff was doing it and told him to find out who it was. He headed them off as best as he could since they wouldn't believe him anyway about Thomas. He replied, "I know. The guests like it too."

"I have fun with those who deserve it."

"Well you can still have your fun." Darrell wondered where this was going.

"They want you to stop it." Thomas flickered slightly as spirits were wont to do. It was startling to see but at least nothing bad happened afterwards.

Darrell was startled at that. How much did the ghost know about the pressure he was getting from the owners? He asked, "How do you know that?"

"I see things."

Darrell realized that the ghost could be getting the wrong idea. He didn't want pranks to start happening to the owners… well one owner. Maggie was the only one who had interest in the Wilkerson House. Her partner, and husband, wasn't that interested in the day to day operations. He said, "They don't understand."

"They want to stop my fun."

"They don't understand."

Thomas looked at Darrell. His eyes narrowed slightly. "They won't stop my fun. I will show them the next time. They will know that I want to have fun."

Before Darrell could say anything, Thomas disappeared in a flicker. The cold spots immediately disappeared. Darrell was worried though. The ghost knew that Maggie wanted the pranks to stop. She wanted to promote a sophisticated place with therapeutic mineral springs and the like. Darrell so far had been blowing her off about finding out who it was doing the pranks. Now the ghost might take things in his own hands.

Darrell knew that he was going to be much more watchful. The ghost was going to do its regular pranks but if Maggie showed up for that big shindig, then she might be in trouble. So far the ghost's pranks were harmless but who was to say that they wouldn't change?

Darrell sighed, wishing that Old Henry hadn't saddled him with this responsibility. He wondered how the old man had been able to get through the years catering to the ghost's whims. Part of it was that the previous owners didn't mind the pranks. They thought it good for business and it certainly was enough to keep the place running sufficiently and then some. Wilkerson did have a few regulars like annual family reunions and the like.

Well right now he could check the lock and make sure it was secure before the next events that were scheduled happened. He didn't want to take the chance that some kid got curious and accidentally opened the closet and touched the horse. He had no idea how the ghost would react though he had a pretty good idea of the temperament of the ghost from what he observed and what Old Henry had told him. He was filled with apprehension at the next few days and he hoped that Maggie would stay away and let things take their course. He knew that it was highly unlikely since she loved to simper with the clientele that brought in the sophistication that she was looking for.

Darrell sighed and went back to work. There was a lot to do. He would be damned before he would let the rest of the staff suffer for a lack of being diligent. Please don't do anything rash.


"I don't know. You and I both know how sensitive the issue is."

"Well maybe they don't know that. It could be that they are trying to do something nice."

Christian looked up from the desk full of history papers that he was slogging through with regular speed. One of the nice things about being a vampire was having a few unnatural reflexes and the ability to process things a bit faster. Of course there was such a thing as idiot vampires but that was a whole different story altogether… like idiot demons. He looked over at Akira who was studying the note for what appeared to be the hundredth time.

That morning at breakfast the mail came and was distributed and that came addressed to him, Akira and Austin. Austin was catching shut eye since he had been on patrol the entire night so Akira signed for it and took it out to read. As it turned out, it was from the Winchester brothers inviting them to a surprise birthday party for Angela. At first Christian had his suspicions since he was certain that the brothers had no clue as to the correct address to the Academy.

It was Akira who pointed out that Sam was the one who found the website and her contact information in the beginning. She said that there was no reason he wouldn't be able to find the address. She also suggested that they could have snooped through an address book or asked her right out.

Christian was willing to follow through on that but he was certain that something was not right. That the young hunters were friends of Angela's he had no doubt but surely they would know that she didn't really do that human thing? Sure she had attended such functions but they were always for someone else. He voiced his concerns and as usual Akira pointed out that it was possible they didn't know. Looking up from a paper on the French Revolution, he replied to Akira, "Then again it could be a humiliation tactic. They did send her away."

"She left," Akira countered firmly, "And there was good reason. Besides that has passed and from the looks of things, based on what your trainees say, they are pretty close. You didn't have to agree to help her with the tournament."

Christian couldn't help but grumble. "Alright I didn't have to. Thing is, it is hard to say no to her when she asks. She did make a good case."

"It worked out didn't it? Sam won."

"I saw the notice in Pickwick," Christian replied as he went back to reading the current paper he was on. He had several sections of history and they ranged in grade level and it was something of a feat to keep up in terms of grading work but having been a professor at the Academy for more than several years, he picked up a few things. Not to mention his duties as a school guardian filled time that left little for pleasure. "Still I find it rather not funny. Age is a sensitive issue with our kind."

Akira rolled her eyes. She knew Angela better than that. After the initial shock, she would explain about it. More than likely she would be touched by the gesture from the boys even though she would be thinking in her mind that she didn't deserve it. "Maybe so but that doesn't seem to matter to the Winchesters. Besides they don't know everything but only what they have been taught and learned thus far."

"Right. The tournament was probably their first."

"It was." Akira sighed as she read the invite again. Maybe it was a little suspicious but she didn't think that they would resort to that kind of trickery. She had observed that they were more of the harmless prank kind that proved to be annoying. "We should go. If only so the situation isn't too awkward."

"You know how I feel about things like that."

"Funny how you didn't seem to have a problem with the Hunter's Ball."

"They expect us to be there."

Akira gave an amused and annoyed look at the bent over head. Christian had known her friend longer than she had but she was the one who had broken through that icy reserve she had. In fact when Angela did bother to send an email, they were vastly different from earlier ones. Being with the Winchesters was good for her friend and apparently they liked having her around too. She tried a different way, "Just humor them. Like I said more than likely they have no clue about this peculiarity."

Christian finished the paper and shifted it to the completed pile before looking up. He could see the stubborn determination set in and managed to stifle a sigh of exasperation. Ever since she joined the faculty at the Academy, Akira seemed to be more and more determined to things that were rather unconventional and yet they worked. It wreaked havoc on the guardians, at least the ones that knew. She did things her way and it was no wonder she and Angela bonded and understood one another. "Fine but as long as Austin agrees. It was addressed to him too."

Christian was thinking that Austin wouldn't want to since he knew Angela well too and he had a thing for her. He would know her tendencies. At least that would show he was willing to cooperate with Akira for the time being. Technically she could order him to do what she wanted but she didn't do that and wasn't like that.

At that moment, Austin decided to walk in. He looked bleary eyed from his late night and his normally messy hair looked even messier; like he had just woken up. He went to his box and pulled out his subject, English and literature. "I see the early birds have caught the worm. No homework this time, princess?"

Akira gave a tolerant look. Austin had taken to teasing her ever since she arrived. He always had some nickname for her and his favorite seemed to be princess. Unfortunately that was how Angela addressed her and it stuck. It didn't bother her since they only called her that in private and to annoy Christian. She replied, "I finished that early. I got into good habits while I was at the university."

"Some would say that you took a step down to come here," Austin replied as he picked a desk and started going through his things.

The room was an optional place to grade papers and do other administrative things regarding the students. An elaborate floor plan for the Academy but it had its perks and the headmaster knew who he had in his employ.

Akira retorted, "For me it is a step up since it is one of the best in the nation."

Austin couldn't help but chuckle, "Relax princess. You're well respected and you could have any post that you want. So what are you two fighting about this time? Will I need to get out the swords? Maybe guns and we could have a regular Mexican standoff… whatever the hell that means." He grinned as he started on the first stack of papers.

"Actually we got a note from the Winchesters," Akira began.

"Oh? So how is Dean doing? Staying out of trouble? And what about Sam?"

"Nothing like that."

Christian interrupted and said, "They want to surprise Angie for her birthday at some place in Heber Springs, Arkansas."

Austin paused for a moment. He knew what she was like but they couldn't know about that. It was probably an attempt to cheer her up. Then again how could they find out? There were very few who knew and they wouldn't tell. It was puzzling but then again Bobby Singer had resources. Besides he hadn't seen her in a while. "Okay. When do we leave?"

Christian looked up. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did Austin just agree to this? "What?"

"When do we leave?"

Akira couldn't help but grin. She knew Austin better than she thought and it didn't have to take much persuasion on her part. He would go if only to see Angela again and make sure she was okay. She replied, "Well as soon as possible. Here's the date." She handed the invite over so he could look at it.

Austin peered at it and he confirmed that it was at least Dean that sent it. He knew that Christian would have his suspicions and everything. He always was a serious one when it came to anything that passed through the mail and the like. Austin was the one that tried to keep him lightened up and ever since Akira came, it seemed to have worked out. He noticed the date and he knew that Bobby Singer had to have found out the exact date. He admired the man's ability to find out things and know them. "Yep I'm in for going."

"I already informed Jarvis," Akira replied much to Christian's annoyance. She smiled at him and left to make sure they would hit the road at a reasonable hour.


A/N: Looks like Gabe may be getting some help an d he's setting the ball rolling. Check out next time on 'Trick'steen Candles...