Authors comments: Writing one chapter a night was only wishful thinking on my part, y'all. I'll still try but don't be surprised if it takes me 2 or 3 days to write chapters.
Once again, thank you reviewers! I heart you guys! If not for you I'd probably have stopped writing this after chapter 2. Opening my email and seeing a review notice makes me want to drop everything, open word and start typing.
Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter Six
Gabriel was uncharacteristically quiet the next day.
"Hey, are you ok?" Sam walked over, sitting on the couch beside the shorter man. The archangel hadn't moved from the sofa all morning. He just sat there, nodding answers to whatever questions were asked him and staring at his clasped hands.
"Sam…." The archangel leaned his elbows on his knees and covered his face with his hands. "Even if you succeed…you're not coming back from this."
The younger man clenched his jaw and looked down himself. This was something he knew of course. It just wasn't something he considered; or even wanted to think about.
"I know though…." The archangel turned slightly, gazing at the younger Winchester. "I know it's the only way." Gabriel's expression was pained but he continued. "If we don't do something about him then what happened to me would have been for nothing and the world would basically end…."
Sam nodded solemnly. "I'm truly am sorry…"
Gabriel looked up at the other man, his eyes sad. "I know, Sam." He leaned sideways and rested his head on the taller man's shoulder. "I wish….I wish there was some other way."
Sam wrapped his arm around the archangel's shoulders, careful not to bang the wings. "I know…I do too."
After a few minutes Sam spoke up. "Gabriel?"
"hm?"
"How are your wings doing?" Sam pulled his arm from around the shorter man.
"…what exactly do you mean?" He turned to look at the larger man.
"Do they still hurt?"
The archangel was silent for a minute before answering. "Not really, actually."
"Turn around. I want to check something."
Gabriel's gave Sam a sideways look as he turned around. "Oo, just be careful, kiddo."
"Always…" The younger man started carefully removing the splint and then the bandages of one of the broken wings. "Incredible…." He said thoughtfully. "Does this hurt?" Sam gently ran his hand along the wing where the break was.
The archangel had to think for a moment before answering. "….no."
Sam's eyes were wide as he gently felt the wing. It was healed. The bone felt as if it had never been broken. He carefully moved the feathers to get a look at the incision Dean had made. It was gone. Only a faint scar remained.
"Gabriel…it's completely healed! This is amazing!" Sam felt a smile spread across his face as he studied the wing.
"Not really Sam…my wings are an extension on my soul; even in this form. It was you…." He paused for a minute turning to look the young hunter in the eyes. "You being here for me healed them. If not for you I'd probably be a cripple."
"My god, you two are a pair." Both men on the couch jumped, looking up to find Dean watching them from the doorway, a disgusted look on his face. "I always knew Sam was a sissy, sap but I didn't know you were too, Gabriel."
"What, you didn't think I had a heart, big guy?" Gabriel said sarcastically, falling back into his former self.
"No, I didn't, you tiny little man."
"Hey, hey, no need to get hurtful! And 5'8 isn't that small, you're just a freakishly tall! Well, Sam is the giant…but you're in the running Dean-o."
Dean only rolled his eyes before getting down to business. "The real reason I'm here is because we're having a bit of a meeting in the other room. Need to talk about how we're going to go through with the plan…." The older Winchester's eyes flicked from his brother to the angel. "You guys comin'?"
…...
Sam was thoroughly shocked that the archangel didn't make any sarcastic remarks during the meeting. Actually, he didn't say much of anything really. He just sat there listening, his face unnaturally somber.
When the matter of Sam needing to drink demon blood was brought up the room was suddenly filled with tension. Gabriel's expression almost turned angry as his gaze flitted from his little brother to the three hunters. Still though, he said nothing.
After all of the details were worked out Gabriel got up without a word and left. Sam found him in the kitchen raiding the fridge.
"I WAS looking for something with a high sugar content," The angel said without pulling his head out of the fridge. "but it seems none of you lot get any sort of womanly cravings." With a sigh he shut the fridge empty handed.
"I know that got pretty tense in there….you going to be ok?" Sam leaned on the doorframe.
Gabriel turned, and irritated look on his face. "You keep asking me that Sam." He turned away before the taller man could see his expression turn into a pained sadness. "The answer is 'no'. I'm not ok. I'm not sure I will ever be ok after…." The angel's voice trailed off.
"After…?" Sam prompted, his voice soft.
"…..after you're gone…." The shorter man's voice broke at the last word.
Sam's stepped forward and spun the archangel around to face him. "You'll be ok. You're strong. You keep saying you trust me. Trust me on this."
Gabriel shut his eyes and leaned forward, wrapping his arms around the younger hunter. The embrace was brief.
"I'm going to go sit outside….I need to think…" The archangel smiled at Sam before walking around him and out the door.
The taller man only watched his leave; his heart was beating in his throat. The reality of what he had signed on for was starting to dawn on him. It was starting to seem real.
He was going to go to hell. And he doubted anyone would be able to bring him back.
…...
The rest of the day progressed slowly. When evening rolled around Bobby was out on a beer run, Dean and Cas were screwing around with weapons by the car and Gabriel still had not returned.
Sam worriedly stood on the porch, eyes scanning the car yard and forest beyond for the archangel. Suddenly, with the sound of wings flapping, Gabriel appeared on the lawn a few feet from the porch steps. Startled, the younger man stumbled backwards, his eyes wide.
"G-Gabriel!" Was all the young hunter was able to say as he took in the sight before him.
The archangel's wings were spread wide, the light of the now setting sun catching them and setting the feathers alight. He looked happier than Sam had seen him since they found him, a grin spread across his face.
The shorter man laughed and punched the air jumping a little in his joy. Only then did he notice the younger man gawking at him.
"Sam!" The archangel basically leaped onto the porch grabbing the other man and pulling him into a huge hug. The grin never left his face as he pulled away. "You see that, kiddo! There's hope for me yet!" he laughed again.
The taller man couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face. The archangels cheer was infectious.
"This is great! But…how!" Sam shook his head in awe.
"Well…I started off sulking around the forest if you must know…But then I realized that there was really no reason to stop me from flying…. It took me up until now to get the hang of it again because of the imbalance, but I did!"
"This is amazing!" The hunter pulled the angel into another hug.
"Seems there's hope for me yet." Gabriel's smile turned mischievous and he gripped the man tighter spreading his wings again.
Sam caught on fast. It was hard not to notice the massive wingspan unfold. "Gabriel," He said warningly. "What are you d-AH!"
The taller man suddenly felt himself being tugged forward and his feet leave the ground. Otherwise it was a hard sensation to pinpoint. He kept his eyes shut until he felt his feet touch the ground again.
Letting go of the archangel he stumbled back, hearing the archangels laughter and then his brother's started voice. Sam realized the smaller man had only transported them across the yard and to the impala.
"JESUS." Dean exclaimed loudly holding his hand to his chest as if he was going to have a heart attack. "You scared the CRAP out of me."
Cas stood in the doorway to the garage, staring at the archangel. "Brother." The younger angel's eyes were wide. "When….how?"
"When? Just now. How? Because I ROCK." The smaller man answered, his face still beaming.
"Dude...maybe you can make yourself useful after all." Even Dean couldn't keep a smile off his face.