Chapter 9
Angela wasn't saying much but to Dean, from where he was standing, he wasn't making a mistake. That look on her face, while being the one that Sam thoroughly hated… and he did as well, it was told him that she may have crossed this ass hat before. Where and when didn't matter but Dean was astute enough to see the signs of shock and betrayal. And he could tell that she was clearly pissed and she never showed it in the conventional way.
Looking Sam, now that was a different story. Sam looked like he was ready to pull a gun and shoot the bastard. As if what they had could kill an angel. Instead Sam said, "Gabriel. The archangel."
"The Messenger," Angela spoke in a low tone that was a little raspy. She wasn't looking at either brother. She was looking straight at the angel.
"Guilty," Gabriel retorted. He was aware he was sounding petulant but it was mostly directed at his Cat.
Dean noticed the tone in Angela and glanced at her before looking at their captive angel, "Okay, Gabriel. How does an archangel become a Trickster?"
Gabriel looked at Dean and studied him. "I skipped out of Heaven, had a face transplant, carved out my own little corner of the world… Till you two screwed it all up." He pointed accusingly at the Winchesters. "And you dragged Absolution to pick up the pieces of your mess."
The last comment had been intended to instigate a guilt trip. It did in Sam. Dean, it wasn't so visible but he felt it too. He could admit that they both just charged ahead and she followed but was always there to catch them if they fell. She was always the one trying to make things better. And where did that leave her? Dean cleared his throat and countered with, "Oh yeah? And what did Daddy say when you ran off and joined the pagans?"
"Daddy doesn't say anything about anything." Gabriel locked his gaze onto Angela's. She was staring at him with that look that told him that she was becoming a snuffed flame that was slowly reaching that erupting point. He didn't need to point it out to anyone. He knew that she was past the shock and awe stage. Now it was full on anger. At this point he wasn't going to beg for forgiveness since he already dug a hole. He had been hoping the two numbskulls would get it, play their roles and they would go on their merry way. Yet they persisted and he should have taken into account that she would have done the same and did the same. Hell she busted through on her own and she still managed to be what she was.
"So what happened? Why'd you ditch?"
Gabriel looked at the younger Winchester. As much as he still held a grudge over his and Dean's carelessness with Angela in her mini-state, he still had a bit of a soft spot for Sam. While Sam was a bit of a thickhead even though he was supposed to be the smart one, Gabriel knew that he was a good man. The fact that he really did care about Angela and it seemed to have brightened the lightbulb in his thick skull added some points. It was why he was a bit nicer with Sam's roles. Though the Herpexia commercial gave him a few laughs.
"Well do you blame him?" Dean piped up when the angel didn't say anything. He looked at the asshole with a look of contempt, "I mean his brothers are heavy-weight douchenozzles."
Gabriel looked abruptly at Dean. His eyes glittered dangerously as they narrowed into slits. "Shut your cakehole. You don't know anything about my family." He shifted his gaze towards Angela. Silently he was saying, But you do Cat. You know everything because you are a part of it. Out loud, he continued, "I love my father. My brothers. Love them! But watching them turn on each other? Tear at each other's throats? I couldn't bear it! Okay? So I left. And now it's happening all over again."
"Then help us stop it," Sam pleaded.
"It can't be stopped," Gabriel retorted. Maybe it could but it would be a road that most definitely would do more harm than good. Besides the train did leave the station. Even she would be compelled to play her part because she loved humanity as flawed as it was.
"So you wanna see the end of the world?" Dean was ready to pummel the angel. He was well aware that his voice had risen to near shouting levels. It was vastly different from the calm that Angela was given and he knew that was more like the calm before the storm type of thing.
"I want it to be over!" Gabriel felt ready to tear something apart. It had been a long time since he had been pushed to a breaking point that revealed his true feelings. He hid behind the jokes and innuendos because it was better than dealing with the truth. "I have to sit back and watch my own brothers kill each other, thanks to you two! And I have to watch the earthbound sister get pulled into it and there is no telling if she'll come out alive."
"Angie's not your sister pal," Dean warned.
"Bite me you arrogant dick," Gabriel retorted. He may be in a ring of holy fire but he was not going to take some human presuming they knew what was what here. "Even you should know that Absolution is the earthbound angel. By rights she is our sister." He glared at the Winchesters daring them to say otherwise. "Heaven, Hell, I don't care who wins! I just want it to be over and for her to be left alone!"
"It doesn't have to be like that," Sam countered. He had heard the way how the angel described Angela. Maybe it was the angel thing talking in terms of her role in things but he could almost swear that the angel cared about her and more than just because she was part of a grand design. "There has to be some way to pull the plug."
Gabriel scoffed at that, "You do not know my family. What you guys call the apocalypse? I used to call Sunday dinner." He looked at Angela and said, "That's why there's no stopping this. You can't change the endgame. It's gonna happen one way or another try as you might in terms of taking a different road."
"There is still a chance," Angela allowed.
Gabriel shook his head. He didn't want it to come to this but it was time to give a few horrible truths. "This isn't about a war. It's about two brothers that loved each other, and betrayed each other." He looked at the Winchesters, "You think you'd be able to relate."
Angela merely blinked at that but Sam and Dean looked at each other. Sam ventured, "What do you mean?"
Gabriel looked at the trio. He couldn't tell of Angela understood what he said but the looks he was getting from the Winchesters… Something to rectify. Angela, he was going to have to go on faith and possibly piss her off some more but the time had come to tell what he had kept a secret even from her. He gave a low whistle, "You sorry sons of bitches. Why do you think you two are the vessels? Think about it."
Sam and Dean were confused as they were trying to comprehend what the angel was saying. Angela was staring but Gabriel could see the comprehension on her face. He knew she would figure it out especially since she was such an avid reader and did a very good job of hiding it. He couldn't help it, "Now there is the little Bible scholar I know so well. You are starting to put it together now aren't ya sweetheart?"
Gabriel noticed Sam twitch at the endearment. It amused him and he smirked at Sam to let him know that he saw it. He looked at Angela with an expectant look. He could see it in her eyes. She had the best poker face in the world but when it was something close to her or a sudden realization… He did like making it purposely come out but he was regretful that he was doing it purposely to tell her what she needed to know.
Angela felt her breath hitch as she realized it. She remembered talking about the boys being the vessels but she never made the connection. In all fairness she had been distracted. Bobby had just been stabbed and Zachariah screwed him over and there was the whole thing between the three of them. Yet with Gabriel sitting her down and forcing her to think… she could see. She breathed, "Fuck no."
"What?" Sam looked at her with concern. She knew something was up.
Gabriel smirked. It was better that way. "Oh yes, sweetheart. Michael, the big brother, loyal to an absent father." He gestured at Dean for emphasis before turning towards Sam. "And Lucifer, the little brother, rebellious of Daddy's plan." He looked at the Winchesters, ignoring the look that was passing over Angela's face. He couldn't bear to see her pain but he could feel it. "You were born to this boys. It's your destiny. It was always you."
"It's in the blood," Angela muttered looking down. "As it is in heaven, so it must be on Earth." She didn't see anything in front of her in the warehouse but she was seeing what she recalled reading at the library in the abbey in England.
"One brother has to kill the other," Gabriel said looking at her, feeling like the ass he could be. He knew she was feeling the implications of everything,
"What the hell are you saying?"
Gabriel turned his attention to Dean. "Why do you think I've always taken such an interest in you?" He looked at Sam. This was killing him because he could feel her pain. He hated being the cause of her pain. The only other time that happened was the day they split up. And he hurt her further because she came back and he didn't. It was better to keep talking, "Because from the moment Dad flipped on the lights around here, we knew it was all gonna end with you. Always."
It was a lot to take in. Dean looked at Sam but his brother was staring at the angel. Dean could tell Sam had something else to say. He waited and then Sam asked, "And what about Angie? What does Absolution have to do with it?"
Gabriel looked at Sam. He contemplated on putting it on Angela since she wouldn't mince words and both Winchesters would be more receptive of her explanation. Yet he wasn't going to throw her under the bus. Besides, he could see that Sam had something else in mind. "What do you think?"
"Answer the question," Sam demanded.
Gabriel felt his eyes twitch. For insubordination like that he would have crushed them like an ant. But he liked what he was seeing in Sam. He looked at Angela. She had gone silent and was looking at him like she couldn't believe that he withheld that from her. Looking back at Sam he clicked his tongue on his teeth, "Absolution is the one chosen to defend mankind. There's your clue Sherlock. Consider it a contingency plan."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning that what you read in the prophecies is all true. Absolution is a Champion chosen to protect mankind from all that dare to threaten it. The balance between Michael and Lucifer." Gabriel made a slight gesture as if to present Angela to the Winchesters. "There you have it. It's all in there. An angel chosen to maintain the balance of the Force while you two knuckleheads carry this on. Oh and by the way, Absolution is the general."
Dean looked at Sam. Sam wasn't exactly pleased by the answer he was getting and Angela was looking like she was ready to cry. She wasn't but close enough. Enough was enough. Looking at Gabriel he replied, "No. That's not gonna happen."
"I'm sorry," Gabriel replied, really feeling the apology along with regret, "but it is." It felt like a pin dropped after he said it. He was genuinely sorry. Sighing, he added, "Guys, I wish this were a TV show. Easy answers, endings wrapped up in a bow. But this is real." He looked at Angela. "And it's gonna end bloody for all of us. That's just how it's gotta be."
There was nothing to say to that. The question came down to if it was true or not. Angela sighed and brought a hand up to her forehead and rubbed it. Her fingers ran through the loosened locks and she started to pace back and forth. Sam and Dean stood there thinking about what to do. Sam was more concerned about Angela and glancing at her. There was a lot he wanted to ask and talk to her about but he was reluctant to try and badger her.
Gabriel studied the trio. He wasn't going anywhere since he was stuck in a ring of holy fire. He really hadn't wanted her to know. He knew she would find out anyway but… "So boys, now what? Stare at each other for the rest of eternity?"
Dean looked at Sam and then back at the angel. He was going to say something when Angela spoke up, "First off, you're gonna bring Cas back from wherever we last were." She glared at the angel.
"Oh am I?"
"Don't test me," she warned.
"I know we'll dunk you in some holy oil and deep fry ourselves an archangel," Dean threatened. He had no idea what Angela would have in mind but he knew what he wanted to do.
Gabriel could handle Dean. Looking at Angela, he was certain that she had picked up a few things and she wasn't going to play like they used to do. Putting on a show of defiance, he snapped his fingers and Castiel appeared looking a little flustered but relieved. He looked at Angela who was still looking at him while Dean asked if his little brother was okay. She was seriously pissed.
"Hello Gabriel."
Gabriel was glad for a diversion. He smirked at Castiel, "Hey bro. How's the search for Daddy going? Let me guess… awful." He shot a look at the angel that more behind it than what was being seen by everyone else.
Enough was enough and Dean led the way, "Okay. We're out of here. Come on Sam." He had only gone a few paces before realizing that Angela hadn't been following. He turned back along with Sam. "Angie? Come on."
Angela gave one last look before turning towards Dean. She glanced back at the angel and then turned to walk away. The walk to the door was filled with Gabriel calling out and asking if they were going to leave him there forever. She paused and turned back.
"No," Dean replied, "We're not because we don't screw with people the way you do." He had a lot to say but there was one thing on his mind. "And for the record: this isn't about some prizefight between you and your brothers. Or some destiny that can't be stopped. This is about you being too afraid to stand up to your family."
Normally he would say it was just desserts but Dean was not going to stoop to that level. He broke the glass and triggered the fire alarm. The water would put out the holy fire. "Don't say I never did anything for ya."
They left the angel in the warehouse. Sam couldn't help but ask, "All that stuff he was spouting in there… you think he was telling the truth?"
"I don't care," Angela said. "Right now I just want to go."
It was easy to vent and it was satisfying to destroy things. Unfortunately being in a motel room didn't leave much to be destroyed. It brought trouble and a bigger bill than she would have liked. She didn't mind paying for things if she caused damage to it but she had her standards. Besides she didn't like damaging people's livelihoods. So she resorted to what usually worked. She was walking and she was putting steam to it.
They had found a cheap motel for the night and she had been rather mean to the boys and pretty much demanding to stop. They complied and with uncharacteristic meekness even though Sam shot looks at her that silently asked and near begged her to talk to him as well as ask if she was okay. It took a lot to ignore them but not to the point where she hurt his feelings though she was certain that she did. And it didn't help that she avoided their company the rest of the night.
She just needed to think about everything that happened and try to calm herself down. She was hurt and angry. She couldn't believe that Gabriel did what he did. And then drop that bombshell on her about the Apocalypse? That one had to kill the other? The last time he pulled this crap was about her role in things and they split up. The comparison pissed her off and she wanted to destroy something and badly. She had been ready to take on Gabriel and not like how they used to play.
Being in a bitchy mood, she went with what usually worked. Of course rapid pacing didn't always do the trick. Which was why she brought along a few things to help. She pulled out her iPod and put the buds in her ears while spinning through her playlists that she pretty much spent two days collecting from her collection. Finding the one she wanted, she scrolled to the top of the list and hit the play button. She bobbed her head as she listened to the beat of the opening chords of the first song and paced around to catch her beat.
From there it was pure venting as she threw punches, kicks and even went around jumping off of tree trunks and executing the moves she had spent several lifetimes learning. The point was to wear herself out so she could go back to thinking. It was therapeutic with the whole calming down and seeing it from the other side thing; letting a clearer head prevail.
She finished off with a hard sprint to where she had left her jacket and a bottle of water. She would have liked a beer but it wouldn't have done much since she couldn't get drunk off alcohol. It did numb; it was how it was when she was getting over being poisoned and losing Hibah and it wasn't a nice place to be in. She punched the air hard and made a loud grunt that was filled with pain and anger.
"At least you aren't drinking. Sam was worried that you might."
Angela stopped what she was doing and turned to look at her visitor. She was breathing heavily like she had run a marathon but it helped. "I only drink when I've been poisoned or just want to have a good time." She frowned slightly as she breathed, "What are you doing here Kess?"
Kesset looked at Angela with a discerning look. "You are in distress."
"I'm pissed. There's a difference." Angela bent over to pick up her water bottle to take a sip. "And I know Sam must have called you."
"He is worried about you."
"It's always something and I've been doing this job a lot longer than he has."
Kesset blinked. He had been visiting Kate, the human he had stayed with while his wings were recovering from their beating. He had been more or less ordered to go by his charge's younger self and since he was bound to obey… He could also admit that he liked the human too. Part of that was influenced by how she petted his agitation away even if it was a dream.
When he showed up on Kate's doorstep, she was surprised and not surprised. He didn't have much of a chance to say anything since she pulled him into her house and started examining his injuries. He was surprised when she asked to see his wings. He had been hesitant but she said that while she thought it was strange to dream about him with wings, she found that she wasn't afraid and didn't mind. She also admitted that she was a veterinarian and he ended up making her laugh when he asked what that was. So for a week he stayed at her house and he ended up telling a few things and when he left, he would drop in.
He had been in the middle of a visit with Kate when he got the phone call from Sam. He took it immediately and listened while Sam asked for help and explained. It puzzled the guard in that Sam wasn't the one to handle it and he wasn't sure about the younger Winchester's answer. Yet he said he would come and here he was and he got the feeling that Sam may have been right on this. He looked at his charge and repeated, "He is worried. He cares about you."
"He shouldn't. Not with the way I've treated him lately."
Kesset had been warned that she didn't remember much of anything from those two months and it bothered him that was so. "I don't think he sees it that way, princess. He asked me to come because he knew how angry you were. He knew you would regret it if it were him and you took a swing in anger."
Angela looked at the Avian and blinked. Did Sam really think that? That she would raise a fist… "Then I guess it is good that you are here. No one wants to be around a bitch like me."
Kesset became aware that what he said came out wrong and was misinterpreted. He tried to rectify it, "It is not that. Sam knows better than anyone if you were to hurt someone you care for even if it was an accident that you would feel bad."
"And you're saying I don't care about you?"
"I'm used to it." Kesset shifted on his feet and adjusted his wings. Even with the spell over, he had gotten used to having them out. He just let those he trusted see them. "I'm used to being what you call a punching bag. For me, the sins of my father were brought down on me."
"That isn't fair," Angela replied quickly. "Setna was a good man. He did what he did because he thought it was the best way to protect those he cared about. To protect the boy he loved." She gazed hard at Kesset. "If anything, I'm the one to blame for what happened in the end."
"Hardly that," Kesset replied with a wave of dismissal. "Besides I'm not here because of that. Sam told me what happened and I know that you are angry at him… at Gabriel." He tried to keep his tone even but even he was upset with the angel.
"Angry is right," she agreed, "More at the fact that he still thinks I am a baby with the important stuff. Like the fact that he believes there is no stopping because of what the damn bloody Bible says." Angela looked at the ground and stomped her foot. "Fuck, Bobby is right. Family doesn't make you feel good all the time. They really can be a pain in the ass."
"Are you angry at him or yourself?"
"Both Kess. Both because I didn't see it earlier and I fucking read the damn passage and him because…" Angela put a hand to her face. Tears had started to erupt and her breathing hitched a little in a sob. She looked at Kesset and said, "Because the last time he did this, we separated and it wasn't pretty."
Kesset heard the pain in her voice and his heart ached. He was only a guard but he was capable of feeling too. He had heard the plea in Sam's voice for help. "Would you like me to track him down and teach him a lesson, princess?"
Angela gave a watery chuckle, "No, Kess. I just want to talk to him. Ask him why. I don't want to lose him again." She shuffled on her feet and sniffed, "I came back and called but he didn't answer. So is it me?"
Kesset didn't know how to answer that. Personally he thought it should be Sam since clearly her wellbeing was on the younger Winchester's mind. "No. But… Gabriel does care for you. It is probably why he… left. He… hated making you feel that way."
Angela said nothing as she wiped her tears away. She took a couple of breaths and looked at nothing in particular to think a little. In a calmer voice she said, "You know he rescued me from hell. He came for me. I know he cares. It's just… Family can make you miserable and yet no matter what they do, you still love them. Dean did terrible things in hell and I still love him. Sam… he blames himself for the end of the world but I still love him."
Kesset nodded in agreement with that. "So what do you want to do?"
Angela looked at the guard. "Can you help me with something?"
A/N: Looks like all sides feel bad and Angie is upset. Looks like Kess may be in for the rescue. Stay tuned for the conclusion of Same Shit, Different Channel...
