Now that he wasn't dealing with reckless Angels and trigger-happy rosaries, Sam had some time to think. Of course, his thoughts gravitated to the kiss he and Gabriel shared a week ago and the conversation Castiel forced them to have. It was what he thought about most often nowadays. He'd be eating something in the kitchen when—BAM! Intrusive thoughts!

It would be annoying, except he still needed to analyze how he felt about it. The conversation had helped, but his thoughts were still a jumbled mess. Now, well, he had time.

Sam wasn't a stranger to his feelings. He liked to think he had a pretty good handle on them, or was at least semi-aware of how they worked. In this case, however, he was lost. It's not that he didn't like Gabriel, it's that he didn't like him like that.

He couldn't say he hadn't thought about it, but that had been years ago. Back when they first met at the college. Before they discovered what he was, Sam may or may not have noted the inherent attractiveness of the janitor that showed them the room the professor jumped from.

It's not like he never noticed other men before, Sam had long since come to terms with his flexible sexuality. And he was disappointed when they discovered him as the Trickster they were hunting. After that, though, his feelings faded. But now . . .

Sam shakes his head. No. He couldn't. He couldn't take advantage of Gabriel like that. It wouldn't be fair to the Archangel for him to dredge up his old feelings and bait him like that.

Besides, he didn't still feel that way. It'd been so long ago, and it hadn't even really been anything particularly big. Just an admiration of his humor, personality, and facial features.

He shouldn't even be considering it. It wasn't right. Gabriel deserved someone better than him. Better than a broken man who couldn't even properly deal with his feelings.

Sam glances up when his door opens.

"Hey," Gabriel says.

"Hey. You doing okay?"

"Yeah," he says, walking forward and sitting on the end of the bed. "Cassy's been wrestling with that rosary for the past hour now with no luck. It's pretty funny to watch."

Sam chuckles. "I bet. He's not in any danger, is he?"

"Nah, I'm sure he's fine." He pauses, a vaguely uncomfortable look on his face. "Can I, uh . . ." He gestures to a spot next to Sam.

Sam chuckles. "Yeah," he says, moving over and raising his arm up.

Gabriel lies down next to him, keeping a few inches between them.

In a moment of what was either boldness, stupidity, or some odd combination of the two, Sam pulls Gabriel closer to him so there was no space separating them. Gabriel lets out a small noise of protest before resigning himself and curling against Sam's chest.

. . .

The next day, Castiel was still fighting with the rosary. Sam and Gabriel walked in on him in the library, a knife raised to his neck.

"Whoa there, Cassy," Gabriel says. "Careful with that thing."

"I will, brother," he says, carefully trying to cut it with no luck.

Sam raises an eyebrow and nods. "You two want anything? I'm gonna get breakfast."

"I'm fine, Sam," Castiel says.

"I'll take some pancakes 'nd syrup." Seeing the look on Sam's face, Gabriel pouts. "I'll settle for waffles," he says hopefully.

Sam shakes his head and walks to the kitchen.

Gabriel sits down across from Castiel and eyes the rosary. "Y'know, Karma's a bitch, but she really has her priorities straight."

Castiel pauses, putting his knife on the table. "What do you mean, brother?"

Gabriel grins. "You locked me and Sam up a few days ago, now you're the one tangled in something."

Castiel glares at him. "Are you still upset about that?"

"Yes," Gabriel says petulantly.

Castiel rolls his eyes. "I did what I had to do. Otherwise, you and Sam would never have talked about it."

"You don't know that."

Castiel gives him a look. "No, of course I don't," he says sarcastically. "It's not like I have witnessed how Winchesters deal with important things in their lives and know that you would do the same. Not at all."

Gabriel glares at him. "I'm not gonna dignify that with a response," he says, picking a random book from a shelf and starting to read.

Castiel lets out a sigh and picks the knife back up.

. . .

"We got a problem," Sam says, walking into the library with his tablet and two plates of eggs. He sets one in front of Gabriel and sits down next to him.

"What kinda problem?" Gabriel asks, eyeing his eggs disdainfully.

Sam sets the tablet down so they could all see it. "Remember what Rowena said on the phone about being in the Pacific Northwest? Well, I also heard what sounded like a party in the background and did a little digging."

"A rich lady exploded?"

"Yeah. Local cops are calling it spontaneous combustion, but . . . pretty much."

Castiel takes a closer look at the article. "That does sound like Rowena."

"How'd she get the juice to pull that off?" Gabriel asks. "Last I checked, the head witches bound some of her powers."

Sam clears his throat. "I, uh . . . I gave her a page from the Black Grimoire. It helped her get them back."

Gabriel nods. "I can't tell if that was a really good, or really bad idea."

Sam shrugs. "She wanted to protect herself."

"By burning someone alive?" Castiel asks.

"We don't know what this is yet. Maybe she had a reason."

Castiel shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

"Okay, I said if Rowena goes bad again, I'll deal with it, so I'll deal with it."

"Sam, Rowena doesn't do anything without a reason," Gabriel says. "Her methods may be skewed, but she probably has her priorities straight."

Sam nods. "Still, I can't let her go around killing people."

Gabriel shrugs. "Okay. I'll go with you to check it out."

"Me too," Castiel says.

Sam and Gabriel share an uncomfortable look.

"What?"

"Well . . ." Sam trails off.

"You can't really go out in public with that thing around your neck," Gabriel supplies.

Castiel attempts to glare at the rosary. "Yes, I suppose so. I've been meaning to check out things in Heaven anyways, so I guess now would be the best time."

"Is that really a good idea?" Sam asks.

"I'm not really sure, but I need to know how things are going."

Sam nods. "Just be careful."

"I will. Have fun with Rowena," he says, walking out of the library.

"We will," Gabriel says. "Have fun with our smite-happy siblings."

"I will," he says from the map room.

. . .

Gabriel lets out another sigh as the call gets dropped.

"Still no answer?" Sam asks.

"Nope."

Sam sighs. "Y'know, I really do hope there's a reason behind this. Otherwise . . ."

"Yeah, I know."

"Maybe she just had bad cell reception," a voice says from the backseat.

They look back in surprise and Sam slams the brakes. After realizing there was no one there, he pulls off to the side of the road. When they face forward, they see a woman standing in front of the car.

"What the Hell?" Gabriel says as he and Sam scramble out of the car.

"You know her?" Sam asks.

"No, he doesn't," the woman says. "My name is Jessica and I'm a Reaper."

"Okay," Sam says. "What's a Reaper doing here."

She gives them an odd look. "Didn't Dean tell you about me?"

"Nooo," Sam says slowly.

She nods. "As expected. Pity. Honestly, it was sad watching him go this long without telling Sam about me."

"Wait, hold on a second," Gabriel says. "What do you mean 'watching'."

"Well, after Dean's little trip to the Veil, Death asked me to keep an eye on him and Sam, in case."

"In case of what?"

"This, I guess. I don't ask Death questions. Never goes well."

Sam scoffs. "So what, you—you've just been . . . hovering around us, invisible, like a—like a babysitter?"

"No, no, more like a baby monitor."

Sam nods. "And—and you've seen, um . . ."

"Oh, everything," she says with a smile.

"You mean, like, everything everything?" Gabriel asks.

"I'm especially fond of Sam's impressive . . . extensive array of hair products. Not to mention all the nights you three spend in his room." She glances at Gabriel, "Or the—ahem— 'alone time' you spend with Castiel while you two groom your wings."

They both blush furiously and look away.

Jessica smiles. "Anyways, people in Portland have been dying out of their assigned times, because apparently someone has become powerful enough to do that." She looks pointedly at Sam.

"Rowena?" he asks.

She nods. "So, I've been instructed to offer my assistance as a resource."

"Wait," Gabriel says, "you said people. As in more than one."

"Four, so far."

They sigh. "Yeah, okay, well, uh, we're handling it," Sam says.

"But if you need anything—"

"We don't, and we won't," Gabriel interjects. "I'm more powerful than one of Death's 'Angels'."

She glares at him. "We'll see about that."

Sam and Gabriel start as she disappears.

"Okay," Sam says. "That's not good."

"No, no it's not," Gabriel says, a shell-shocked look on his face. "I didn't even know she was there. Cassy must not have either, else he would've said something."

"It's alright, Gabe. Right now, I think we should focus on Rowena."

Gabriel nods. "Yeah. I think that sounds good," he says, getting back in the car.

. . .

When Sam and Gabriel finally pull into Portland, it's just a little after midnight and Sam's bone tired. He quickly finds the nearest motel and pulls in, stumbling out of the car and to the check in place.

"One room, king bed," he says tiredly.

Gabriel's eyes widen in surprise.

The man behind the counter hands over a key, not looking up from his magazine.

Sam nods his thanks and trudges outside, Gabriel trying to keep him from falling over. "I'll get the stuff," he says, taking the Impala key from Sam.

Sam nods and starts walking to the room.

Gabriel shakes his head and unlocks the trunk, taking out the two duffel bags Sam packed, before closing it and walking after Sam.

When he gets inside, he sees the younger Winchester sprawled on the bed, his face buried in one of the pillows.

Gabriel stands awkwardly in the doorway.

Sam glances at him. "What're you standin' there for?"

Gabriel blinks in surprise. "Um . . ." he eyes the single bed.

Sam groans. "Gabe, just get over here," he says, half-heartedly reaching out an arm.

Gabriel sighs and puts the bags down before walking over and getting in the bed.

Sam pulls him closer and Gabriel flushes.

. . .

"So, how we playin' this?" Gabriel asks as they pull up to the art gallery.

"FBI investigating the weird death here."

Gabriel raises an eyebrow. "Does no one ever get suspicious of your whole "X-Files" routine?"

Sam shrugs. "Sometimes. Our badges are usually enough to fool them."

"Do I get a badge?" he asks excitedly.

Sam nods, trying to hold a smile back as he hands one to Gabriel. "I took one of Dean's old ones and used your picture."

Gabriel narrows his eyes, suspicious of Sam's expression as he takes the badge. "Great, let's get goin'," he says, getting out of the car.

Sam nods and follows him, walking up to the building and walking inside.

Both of them look around in vague disgust at the "art" surrounding them.

"I don't get you humans," Gabriel says, shaking his head. "I guess some of this stuff is nice, but you could do so much better."

Sam chuckles as they walk through the halls, humming under his breath.

Gabriel looks at him out of the corner of his eyes. "Franz Ferdinand?" he asks, amused. "Really?"

Sam shrugs. "Your comment reminded me of one of their songs. They've got some good stuff."

Gabriel rolls his eyes and they walk up to the officer in front of the tape.

Sam opens his mouth to say something, but is cut off by Gabriel. "Special Agents Engel and Teufel. We're here to check out the body."

The guy gives them an odd look, but relents after glancing at their badges.

Sam glares at Gabriel as they walk up to the burn marks on the floor. "Why'd you cut me off?" he asks. "I had it handled."

Gabriel raises an eyebrow. "You think I don't know what you were planning. Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel."

Sam glances down guiltily. "It was actually an accident. I didn't think you'd notice."

Gabriel rolls his eyes. "I'm more observant than you give me credit for, sasquatch."

Sam chuckles. "Yeah. What was with those names you used though?"

Gabriel shrugs. "German. Engel is self-explanatory, and teufel means demon, Devil."

Sam flinches. "Odd names," he comments.

Gabriel narrows his eyes. "I thought it was funny, the idea of an Angel and a demon solving crimes. I didn't have much time to come up with something."

Sam nods, turning to the burn marks. "So, why do you think she did this?"

Gabriel shrugs. He pauses, tilting his head and eying something behind the marks. "See that," he says, pointing to what looks like a thin layer of ash. "That's probably why."

"What is it?"

"A Reaper burned there. That never happens, but I think I heard of a spell once that could do it."

"Why would she burn a Reaper? That doesn't really seem like a good idea."

"I dunno." He glances away. "Well . . . there is something. The woman, Elizabeth Mahler, she was a part of a company that sold thousands of mislabeled drugs. Lots of people died because of it. Mahler and a few others weren't punished because their lawyer got them off on a technicality."

"So, she's exacting vengeance or something? But why? She doesn't strike me as the kinda person to care about something like that."

Gabriel shrugs. "We'll have to ask her."

"Yeah. Do you know where she is?"

"Maybe. My Grace is still a little weird, but there's definitely someone with powerful magic here. I don't think I could track her down, so we'll just have to keep tryin' to call her."

Sam nods. "I guess that works. Let's get outta here," he says, starting to the exit with Gabriel at his heels.

. . .

"I'm disappointed in you two."

Sam moves to hit the brakes, but stops at the last second, drawing in a deep breath. "Jessica," he says evenly. "What do you want?"

"To talk. I figure you'll be wanting some help right about now."

"We're good," Gabriel grits out.

"Really? Not even if I have a way for you two to defeat Rowena?"

He pauses. "Continue."

She smiles. "Death keeps a notebook for everyone and how they're going to die, depending on the choices they make. Your brother's seen his. However, in Rowena's book, she always dies the same way. She's killed, Sam Winchester, by you."

There's a long, uncomfortable silence.

"Just a little tip," she says before disappearing.

. . .

"Okay, theories," Sam says, closing the motel door behind him. "Why's Rowena killing Reapers?"

Gabriel sighs and crashes on the bed. "Well, there aren't many reasons. I mean, if there was one Reaper that you specifically didn't like, I guess revenge. But there's been more than one death."

"Yeah," Sam says, sitting down and taking his boots off. He pauses. "Actually, this reminds me of something Dean told me a while ago. In order for Death to pull me out of the Cage, he needed Dean to do something. So, he had Dean wear his ring and be Death for a day. I think the reason was something about Dean understanding how Fate and stuff worked. He did fine until there was a little girl, and he let her live. Because of that, a nurse was able to go home early and died in a car crash. Tessa explained it was the Butterfly Effect, and how small, seemingly inconsequential things could affect much larger ones down the road."

Gabriel nods. "That sounds like something Death would do." A realization suddenly comes to him. "That's what she's doing!" He exclaims.

Sam's head snaps up, surprised. "Uh . . . what's she doing?"

"Messing with Fate. Causing people to die before they're supposed to."

"Why?"

Gabriel pauses. "I . . . don't know," he admits.

Sam sighs. "We'll have to ask her. She hasn't responded to any of our voicemails, has she?"

"I don't think so. We can try again if you want."

Sam shrugs. "Sure. Not like we have any other leads."

Gabriel nods and takes out his phone, pulling up Rowena's number.

Sam gets out his laptop and starts looking at guest lists in nearby hotels.

'You've reached the voicemail of Rowena MacLeod. If you're the Winchesters and their Angel, leave your reason for disturbing me. Anyone else, never call again.'

Gabriel sighs. "Hey, Ro, it's me. Loki. We'd really like it if you'd call us back. Like, soon as you can. We've got lots to catch up on." He ends the call.

"Nothing?" Sam asks.

"Nothing," Gabriel confirms.

Sam sighs. "Well, I'm looking at hotel guest lists. Hopefully we'll get something."

"With our luck?" Gabriel says ruefully. "We'd have an easier time getting Cassy and Dean together."

Sam chuckles. "You might be right about that, but I'm still gonna look."

Gabriel shrugs. "Have fun," he says, pulling out a Bible from the nightstand drawer.

. . .

"Hey, Gabe," Sam says, turning away from his computer, "How'd you know about Elizabeth and Pirodine Pharmaceuticals?"

The Archangel stiffens, putting the Bible down. "Uh, that. I, um . . . you know how you've been letting me use your computer?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Well . . . I've been looking at articles. Specific articles, actually. Ones about people who did bad things and went unpunished."

Sam's eyes widen. "Wait, are you . . . are you considering becoming the Trickster again?"

Gabriel shrugs. "I . . . I don't know," he admits. "It's who I was for the longest time. And now . . . I don't know who I am. I'm not the Archangel Gabriel, I'm not the Trickster Loki. I'm . . . I'm not anyone."

Sam gives him a sympathetic look. "You're your own person. You don't have to be either of them if you don't want to."

"Sam, I don't know who I am. I've been around for a long, long time. For a while, I was the Archangel Gabriel. The youngest of the four, I was also the most down to Earth, so to speak. Then, I ran away after Michael locked Lucifer in the Cage. For a while, I wandered the Earth. Doing whatever I pleased. That's how I picked up the whole Trickster thing. I'd find people who did bad things and punished them. It wasn't much different from some of the stuff I'd done as Gabriel, so it didn't really bother me. I became Loki after some Scandinavians caught me using my powers while they were still establishing their pantheon. It didn't really affect me, so I just accepted it. Though, the pagan powers were a nice bonus. Now, however, I don't have anything. I don't want to leave you and Cassy, and I've Fallen too far to reclaim the title of Archangel. I'm lost."

Sam nods, digesting this new information. "Well, maybe you can figure it all out. With us, me and Cas. We can help you."

"Thanks, Sam. I like the sound of that." He pauses. "Y'know . . . I can help you there too."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I'd like to help you regain your autonomy. Your agency. I'm sure Castiel would too."

Sam looks away. "It's fine."

Gabriel shakes his head. "No, Sam. It's not. Too many beings have used you for their own gain. Caused you harm. You don't deserve that."

Sam chuckles ruefully. "Yeah."

"I mean it, Sam. You need to know that you can say no again. That you can think for yourself."

Sam says nothing.

Gabriel sighs. "If you get to help me, I get to help you. But only if you want it."

Sam blinks in surprise and glances at Gabriel.

"I can't make you listen to me, but I can ask that you be open to it."

Sam nods. "Okay," he says quietly.

Gabriel grins. "That's the spirit."

Sam chuckles and shakes his head. His eyes settle on the Bible next to Gabriel and he pauses. "Hey, if you've been AWOL since the whole Cage thing, what about Mary and Jesus?"

Gabriel glances at the Bible and he bursts into laughter. "Oh, that's a funny story," he says, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes. "Y'see, Mary—"

He's cut off when his phone starts ringing. Gabriel quickly picks it up and answers the call.

"Hello?"

'Loki, how lovely to hear from you.'

'Rowena,' Gabriel mouths to Sam, putting the phone on speaker. "Hey there Ro. How's it goin'?"

'I can't complain. Now, why is it you keep calling me?'

"You know why."

'Oh, do I now? And exactly how forthcoming have you been with that information?'

"I thought it was obvious. Did you really think we wouldn't find out what you've been doing?"

There's a pause. 'Well, a girl can dream. I guess now is when you tell me to stop.'

"Something like that. Or, you could say why you're doing this."

'And why should I tell you that?'

"So me 'nd Sam can decide whether to leave you alone or stop you."

'I think my answer would disappoint you there. How about we meet, just the three of us. I'll tell you why, so long as you two call a temporary truce.'

Gabriel glances at Sam, who nods. "Fine. Just tell us where, and we'll be there."

'The Hotel DeLuxe. I'll be waiting.'

The call ends and Gabriel puts his phone down. "So, I think that went well."

"Better than I was expecting," Sam admits. "When're we leaving?"

"I recommend now. Rowena's moods can change as quick as the oceans', so it's best to catch her while she's in a good one."

Sam nods. "Then let's get going," he says, starting to put his boots back on.

. . .

Sam and Gabriel glance around awkwardly, trying to find Rowena in the sea of people at the bar area. Gabriel spots her a few feet away, waving at them and nudges Sam. They cautiously walk over, sitting in the seats across from her. Gabriel glances nervously at the big man standing protectively behind Rowena's chair.

Rowena smirks. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about him, Loki. Just a little added protection, since I'm guessing Sam here has his witch-killing bullets handy."

They shift uncomfortably in their seats and she lets out a laugh.

"That's what I thought. Now, down to the reason you wanted to meet with me."

"You're messing with Fate," Sam says. "We wanna know why."

Rowena sighs and glances at Gabriel, her eyes widening slightly. The expression quickly becomes impassive. "Well, you're partially right there, Samuel. I am messing with Fate, but only so I can get Death's attention. He has something I want."

"What could you possibly want from Death?" Gabriel asks.

Rowena pauses, looking at the floor. "My son," she says quietly.

Sam and Gabriel blink in surprise. "Wait . . . as in Crowley?" Gabriel asks.

She nods. "Yes. After his death, I had an unexpected reaction. We'd never really had the best relationship, but he didn't deserve that."

"Rowena . . ." Sam trails off uncomfortably. "Crowley sacrificed himself. To keep Lucifer in the alternate dimension."

"And how well did that turn out?" she asks ruefully. "He found a way back, like he always does."

Sam flinches and Gabriel sighs.

"Anyways, it would be best if you two leave this alone. This is between me and Death."

"We can't do that, Ro," Gabriel says. "Sorry to say, but I'm not on your side this time. We can't keep letting you kill people."

Rowena scoffs. "You're one to talk, Loki. I'd've thought you'd like this sort of thing. It's not exactly just desserts, but I'm certainly not as creative as you. These are not good people."

Gabriel scratches the back of his head. "Yeah, I know. But, I've . . . changed." He glances at Sam. "I think. And we can't let this go."

She sighs. "I was afraid of that. I guess one can't get what they want all the time. But how is it you plan on stopping me?"

They glance at each other uncomfortably. "Well . . ." Gabriel starts. "According to Death, Sam's the only one who can kill you. Like, forever."

She gives them an odd look. "And barring that? How do you plan on keeping me down?"

Sam takes out a pair of magic-binding handcuffs. "With these," he says, reaching them forward. To their surprise, it goes right through her.

"Hope you don't mind the astral projection," she says, before disappearing.

They glance up and see the big man walking out a door with Rowena in front of him.

"There," Sam says, quickly getting up and going after them, Gabriel on his heels.

They run through the hallways until Gabriel gets stopped by the man. He glances at where Sam ran ahead before looking back to the man. "Raspberries," he mutters, preparing to fight.

. . .

"Rowena, stop," Sam says loudly, cocking his gun as he points her.

She stops. "Sam . . ." she starts. "Let me go."

"I can't do that."

"What if it were Dean in my son's place, you'd go to the ends of the Earth to save him!"

Sam glances down. "No, I wouldn't," he admits.

Rowena turns around, raising her head. "Well, then you'll just have to kill me."

Sam doesn't look at her, closing his eyes. After a few seconds, he starts lowering his gun.

Rowena lets out a sharp breath.

Then, almost before she has time to react, he opens his eyes and fires. She quickly raises her hand, stopping the bullet inches from her hand.

Sam gasps in shock. "H-how did you . . ."

"You really would've shot me," Rowena says in disbelief. She glances away before vanishing, reappearing next to Sam. "Somnia."

His eyes start feeling heavy and he collapses to the alley floor.

. . .

When he finally comes to, Sam realizes he's bound to a chair. By some kind of magic, because he couldn't see any physical restraints. He sees Rowena working on something in front of him.

"You don't have to do this."

She pauses. "Yes I do, Samuel."

"Crowley made his own decisions, it wasn't your fault."

"Yes, it was!" she exclaims. "I could've stopped it." Rowena picks up a knife and uses it to cut her palm. Then, she picks up a vial of purple liquid.

"What's that?"

She doesn't respond and pours it on the cut. "It won't matter in a few minutes," she says, walking over to him. "I know how to get Death here."

"How?" Sam asks warily.

"By killing you. If there's no one to stop me, then he'll have to come."

"Rowena, don't do this," Sam pleads.

"I'm sorry, Sam. But I must." She rips open his flannel and places her bleeding palm over his heart.

Sam lets out a scream as pain courses through him. His world narrows to the burning creeping through his chest. After a few seconds, it stops.

He hears the sound of muffled conversation and tries to make out the scene in front of him.

There were two blobs standing in front of him, presumably Rowena and someone else talking together. His senses start coming back and he makes out a bit of the conversation.

". . . go ahead," someone says. Rowena turns to Sam. "I'm curious to see what happens."

Sam notices the knife in her hand as she approaches him. "No," he says, his voice strained. "No, no. Rowena. I know what you went through and I know how much you lost and I realize how much you want your family back. But don't do it, not like this. This is not you. Not anymore."

"What happened to me, those were my choices," Rowena says. "But Fergus never . . . it wasn't fair." She turns to the other person. "It's not fair!" she shouts, flinging her hands forward and shooting out purple lightning.

The force of the spell sending him tumbling backwards in the chair.

Rowena collapses and Sam recognizes who was in front of her.

"You were never gonna kill him," Billie says. "There was a time you would've, but not now." She steps forward and stoops down. "I can see that."

"I don't know what I'm doing," Rowena sobs.

"Sometimes, life is unfair," Billie says. "And sometimes, we lose things and sometimes we make mistakes. And some of these things can never be fixed no matter how powerful you become. Some things just are, and everyone has to live with that."

"And now you'll take me?"

"No." Billie glances at Sam. "You already know how your story ends."

A few seconds later, Gabriel bursts into the room. He quickly assesses the scene in front of him and bows respectfully to Billie.

"Death," he says.

"Gabriel."

She glances behind him and Jessica walks in.

"It seems this matter has been taken care of," Billie says.

Jessica nods and they disappear.

Gabriel glances at Sam. "You alright?"

"Yeah," he says, sitting up. "Are you?" he asks, seeing the wounds on Gabriel's face.

"I'll live." He walks up to Rowena and sits down in front of her. "Hey there Ro."

"Gabriel," she says quietly. "I should've known."

The Archangel looks away. "Yeah. Sorry about that."

"It's alright, I get it. I figured you weren't Loki when I saw your wings a little bit ago."

"Well, I actually am. It's one of my aliases."

"Semantics," she mutters. "What are you gonna do to me?"

"Nothing. So long as you don't do anything like this again, we'll leave you alone."

She chuckles. "I can do that."

"Good." He pauses. "What are you gonna do?"

She shrugs. "I dunno. Whatever I want, I guess."

Gabriel nods. "Well . . . you could come with us."

She gives him an odd look. "Back to your Bunker? And why would I wanna do that?"

"You don't have anything else to do. We don't really either. Plus, we've got some pretty sweet magic items and spell books."

"Oh!" Sam exclaims. "You've gotta help Cas."

Gabriel snaps his fingers. "That's what I forgot. Yeah, you've gotta help him with that."

Rowena looks away, staying silent. After a while, she says, "Alright. It's not like I have anything better to do."

Gabriel nods triumphantly. "Great. Now, I dunno about you two, but I kinda wanna get outta here."

"Same," Sam says, getting up carefully. "See if Cas can get back to the Bunker."

"I'll contact him over Angel Radio."

"Got it."

Rowena gracefully stands. "I suppose I'll be riding with you two in that monstrosity of a car, then."

Sam chuckles. "Yeah. Just don't say that around Dean when he gets back."

"Where is he anyways? I'd've thought he'd be here to help you two kidnap me."

Sam looks away. "He's, uh . . . working on something right now. In another world."

"Oh," Rowena says, obviously surprised. "Well, best of luck to him."

Sam nods. "Yeah," he says quietly.