Lock 8: Lawrence County, South Dakota
BY: Wolfa Moon
REVIEWS WELCOME
L8: Home Away From Home
"What the?" Dean began. They stood in a middle of an abandoned road. Gabriel stood back away form them. Fury filled him and he vented in Enochian while pacing an expanse of the road.
"Where are we?" Sam asked the poinet question. Gabe stopped his musing to glare at them.
"We're safe. Thank you very much. Jeeze you guys could be grateful." Ram stepped up to him. Laying a calming hand on his shoulder.
"I may not be a guy this time around but I am grateful." Gabriel glowed at the praise form his sister. Seemed he wasn't the only one to be ensnared by her atmosphere. Michael and Lucifer wanted her. And god loved her. His little one.
"Hoath" She smiled. She walked away from them. Gabriel watched as Castiel followed her. Her honor guard. Her friend. Her brother ranking just as high as Gabriel, god himself. Dean and Sam stared at Gabriel. Gabriel stared at Ramiel. Where was she going, he thought.
"OK, Joker. Tell me what this has to do with Ramiel."
"She is, Ramiel was always the go between those two. The one who always made peace." Gabriel looked to the heavens as if cursing the heavens from where he came. "She was the peace treaty line. They could throw their tantrums. Fight, bicker, and squander their gifts. But she, she had to remain safe and away from this field. To maintain the line. Michael must be getting bored. And that is not a good thing." Gabriel began to follow the angels. He ran up to maintain pace with his sister. Dean looked to Sam. A smug smile crossed his features. A revelation.
"So we have the peace treaty."
"She's an innocent."
"Yeah, and?" Sam didn't like to think on how Dean was thinking of Ramiel. Knowing his brother wanted to dangle the bait they had out. Use her to get Lucifer to stop. To get this whole damn battle over with. Save the planet. Make deals.
A scream reined out. Turning they saw Ramiel. She had fallen to the ground on her knees and was screaming. Not in pain of the physical. The pain of reality engulfing. Innocence lost. The brothers ran over. Castiel had a hand on her shoulder. Gabriel was kneeling in front of her. He was talking to her in Enchoian. She was shouting back at the heavens. Her gaze hardened. Standing up she looked up.
"You pathetic excuse for an archangel. You are not worthy of any love I share. I give and you took. Now you use me. How dare you Michael. Castiel is more and archangel then you. God would make him one of his most high. When I see you again. We are having a very major discussion. I am not an innocent. " She began to walk down the road. The others are starring at her. She stopped when further down and looked back. She deflated in front of them. Her spirit cracked. Her own prophecy earning it's own light. Coming to pass. She sighed and looked at her friends and brethren. "Where are we?" She was so lost. Gabriel smiled. He as her messenger. He as her brother. He would keep her safe.
"Someplace where we can regroup." Gabriel looked at everyone then snapped his fingers. "Someplace to fight on our own grounds."
Sam and Dean took in the room around them.
"Bobby's?" Dean questioned.
"Your territory. So your rules." Dean huffed in acceptance. Not a bad idea.
"I can live with that. Now what?"
"We can make a plan." Gabriel tried to smile at something he knew wouldn't work. Ram held her head high. Idea, plan written on her face all she had to do was tell it. Gabe shuddered as her thoughts brushed him. Her eyes focused in on the bothers. The keys to her plan.
"I need you both to say yes."
"What?" Sam couldn't believe what she had just planned.
"Our rules. My terms. I can do anything." Ramiel stood before them. Full warrior angel. She may be innocent but she knew how to fight. Give all what one had. A blaze of glory.
Gabriel looked confused at her.
"You're little one." He reminded her. A innocent. Maybe not anymore.
"God made me. And I may be his little one." Then as if remembering something father had told her. "But the littlest ones can have the biggest outcomes." She walked away from them out of the room. Left to her own devices. Gabriel blew out a breath.
"Boy I do not want to be my brothers right now." He ran a finger over his lips.
"You're telling me." Dean voiced realizing never piss off the quiet ones.
"What does she have planned?" Sam asked. Gabriel bowed his head looking to the kitchen where Ramiel had vacated.
"No clue."
Ramiel went into the kitchen grabbed two glasses, a knife, and then proceeded to the bathroom.
Sam and Dean took seats in the library/parlor. Bobby rolled in followed by Castiel.
"So what you idjits do now." Dean smiled at the warm welcome.
"What makes you think it was us this time?" Bobby laughed.
"When isn't it."
"That's true." Gabriel piped in, smiling like a royal idjit.
"Who the hell are you?" Taking in his first look of Gabriel.
"I'm Gabriel."
"As in the archangel?"
"The one and only." Gabriel stood proudly and bowed comically.
"Great, more of you pain in the Asses." Bobby piffed in whatever tone.
"I can be if you think you can take me." Bobby stopped still. Everyone else glaring. Gabriel shrugged his shoulders. Bobby looked to Castiel.
"Are all you family members like that?"
"Most defiantly not." A female voice introduced herself. Bobby quickly turned to view the new arrival. Gabriel straightened in her renewed presence. The military movement of waiting for orders didn't go amidst by the others. Castiel at first did that around her, now he smiles and holds her arm. Loving family. Taking in the new form.
"And which one are you?" Smiling she moved into the room.
"Ramiel." She moved around him placing the two mugs on the desk.
"What's that?" Sam asked. Dean came over, picked one up and sniffed it.
"Is that blood?" Sam picked up the second mug after his inquiry.
"Yes, it's mine."
"And what are you going to do with it?"
"It's insurance."
"Against."
"When Michael and Lucifer take you. This will give me a minor bit of control. Control that you can maintain over the vessel."
"I'm sure Lucifer would have thought of that already."
"This is ancient magic." Voice assured. She set the knife down on the table. Dean looked her up and down. She appeared troubled and a little tired. A thought popped into his head.
"When was the last time you saw Lucifer?"
"Drilpi Hcoma." She answered. Turning she rested against the desk.
"Mind translating."
"Great Water.","Great Flood." Gabriel and Castiel translated at the same time.
"Since then, wow can't wait to see this family reunion."
"You don't want to. A pissed off Lucy is nothing to make fun of." Gabriel said and stood in front of Bobby. "And when he doesn't come." he clapped Bobby on the shoulder, "We're going to need every good hunter to stand up."
"That's not funny. Damn angel dicks." He wheeled away from under Gabriel's hand.
"Wasn't meant to be. Stand up and join us in our great battle." He went off laughing leaning against the desk next to Ramiel. Nudging her in the shoulder. Making her smiling.
"You are a trite bit of son of bitches." Ramiel looked sternly at Bobby then to Gabriel. It had been a long day. Castiel stared sternly at Bobby. A how dare he, written on his face.
"Gabriel," she says warningly. He smiles.
"Jeeze you mud monkeys are so thick."
"Gabriel," she says again.
"It's not my fault he is thick as mud."
"Wait you," Bobby stuttered along. Suddenly realizing the words.
"Angel." He answered. Reminding Bobby who and what he was talking to. His eyes traveled from one archangel to the other. She smiled. Moving attentively he stood up. Gasp from the brothers made the noises in the room along with the squeaky wheels backing away form the hunter as he stood on his own.
"Thanks." Bobby said as he passed and paced back and forth. Castiel tilted his head to the side. Closing his eyes. Ramiel did the same. Gabriel following along with them. The hunters watched as the angels seemed to go into a group meditation.
"What's going on?" Dean asked. He moved to Cas. Cas opened his eyes first. He looked from the hunters toward his higher level brethren.
"He's coming." Everyone went into action. Ramiel though kept her eyes shut. Sam saw this and went to her.
"You ok?" She opened her eyes. They seemed to search inside of him. Seeing that there was an answer to her own questions. She put on a smile. Sam knew she was trying to stop him from worrying. He laid a hand on her. "What is it?"
"Gabriel is right. If what Raphael says is true. Seeing my brother, Lucifer, it will not end well." She would have to kill her brother. A job that was not hers. She wasn't even suppose to be here. How could she kill him?
"Hmf. Probably. But we'll be beside you." Her smile was true. Warming Sam on the inside.
"Thank you." She reached the sides of his face and pulled him down for a kiss. Sam was stunned at first then dived in. He needed this too. To know he was still good. And that he had good in him. She is good. Stepping back they looked into each other eyes. Wishing for more time. But they had none. Maybe one more moment. Sam pulled her to him and kissed his angel. She was smooth and soft. He was tender and full of passion. Always the threat of death on their heads. They deserved some happiness, Dean thought that as he watched Sam kiss Ramiel. They needed to get outside and fight. But he could spare them a moment. Sam let his hands roam through her hair. Dean had seen the future child they would create. Maybe they still would. She would remain with them. Remain for his Sammy. They pulled apart. Sam reluctantly let her body slip through his fingertips. They had a battle to fight and win. Ramiel walked past Dean to get outside. Sam looked to his brother.
"Dean, don't"
"I wasn't going to say anything."
"Yeah you were." Dean grabbed Sam's arm as he passed.
"Sam, it may not be you're average relationship. She's an angel and you, well. You. But if she makes you happy. Then go for it. " Dean let go of Sam's arm, turned to exit.
"Dean thanks."
"Yeah." Sam followed Dean outside.
On the front porch. They small gang gathered. Each looking the other over. The air around them filled with electric anticipation. Atmosphere thick. The angels looked from one another. Their silent communication going, preparing. It was felt through all. Nobody ever likes the wait. Ramiel took the lead. It had been trying on everyone. She came down the steps closely followed by Gabriel on the left, Castiel on the right. Keeping up a strong fore front.
Demons came from their hiding places behind the broken down salvaged cars. The good drawing a line in the sand to face off the bad. They could feel the strength behind them. Their dark faith driving them to die in battle for their father. Their numbers were many. But up against three angels and three hunters, their numbers depleted greatly. Lucifer watched with an interest eye. He laughed at how his children were depleted by so few. No wonder he was losing the battle with fighters like these on his side. He patted the air beside him. Though they were invisible to human eyes. Yet to higher kinds it was a big ass hellhound and his pack. Lucifer smiled as the dogs snarled. He was going to let the weak children fall first. Survival of the fittest. A few of his stronger children remained. This was getting tiring. His vessel was almost dust. Only held together by his power. He didn't have time. He needed his vessel. But he watched the battle admiring how the brothers and angels fought side by side. The female sister who he could not get a read on rolled over Castiel's bent back to get to the demon who was about to cause some serious damage to him. She took out two more. He admired her technique. Then he saw his other brother. His true self so visible to one who knew him so well. Gabriel glowed with purpose and so much reinstated power. Then the brothers fighting back to back. Becoming one unit after years of fighting together. Bobby twirling in and out of their dance. He is more a solo dancer.
Keeping his legs under him as he walked over the demon deceased. The hellhound under his hand snarled. He had only one true investment in this battle. He needed his vessel. To hell with the others. Only one true force stood in his path.
"Toten sie sie." The pack thundered toward their targets. Scrap metal flew as they hurdled toward the angels.
Gabriel turned toward the noise. His eyes going huge. I really hate hounds, screamed loudly in his thoughts. Ramiel picked up on this and assessed the enemy. The demons had become greatly depleted. Castiel was having trouble with one in particular. He didn't notice the hellhounds. That would not do in Ramiel's eyes. Gabriel got his first blow from the hellhounds as he was distracted by his sister as she went to cover their younger sibling. She had grabbed one but then another pounced on her back. Sam screamed her name. He wanted to run to her and help her. Protect his angel. She screamed out but stood again. Hellhounds like challenges and she was the one that their blood called to take down the leader, Ramiel. After disposing of the one. Two others jumped in on her. She tried so hard not to scream as they tore into her human flesh. Their nails dug deeper into her reaching her true form. Her true voice screamed forth from her lips.
Lucifer stiffened at the voice. He knew it so well. A voice that gave him hope. So long not hearing it, yet now it screams. A voice that was a light in the dark. He walked through the destruction toward his target. The others fighting for all there worth.
Ramiel screamed again when her true visage was hit again. Lucifer's heart that seemed to not beat for humanity. Beated. Beated at her scream. He quickly snapped his fingers. All hellhounds disappeared. All demons exorcised. It's good to be daddy and be obeyed. He walked over to his fallen conundrum.
Castiel began to stagger toward them. He wanted to protect her. His true self had been hurt too. Ramiel though was hurt worse. She didn't move from her kneeling slumped stance. She hurt so much. Innocence. Hope. She was aware of these things. Aware of pain. Aware of why she was kept away. So she would not suffer like all she has seen. She saw so much. Felt so much. It was on a massive scale and so often it became numb. Now on a personnel level. The pain was anew. It was hers. No one else's. Trying to grasp a hold on the pain. She prayed that this was worth it. That this suffering would not go unrewarded.
A hand reached down and touched her. Looking up through the blood smear. She saw him. He looked deep into her wells. Looking upon her true form through the windows. Gasping at the truth before him.
"Ramiel," Lucifer gasped. He lifted her up and pulled her close toward him. Hugging her. Hugging his sister that was still true. She groaned in his arms. Lucifer felt the pain radiate off her. Closing his eyes he focused his power and healed her. She felt the change in her body. Lucifer had healed her. In an act of love. Love, such a powerful emotion. Powerful weapon.
"Thank you." She pushed back away from him. He didn't let go of her. She looked over at the others. Castiel, Gabriel stood side by side. Gabriel leaning a little on their younger brother. The hellhounds were attracted to their strength as well. The brothers took steps forward to stand beside Castiel and Gabriel. Dean holding the colt in hand. True the colt didn't work before. That didn't stop Dean from aiming it at their enemy.
"Let her go," Dean threatened. Lucifer took in the brothers. His own and other. He watched how they all were ready to try something, anything if he were to harm the being in his arms. He held one hand up away from her. Still keeping a hand on her. Afraid is he did she would fly away.
"I'm not going to harm her." He turned to face her. Ignoring the feeble creatures around them. Eyes only for her. "I would never harm you." She smiled at him. Seeing the truth in his words. She knew that none of her brothers would ever hurt her. Little one always had its perks. Protective older brothers being one of them.
"I know." Ramiel turned her gaze to her fighting companions. She assessed them all. Closing her eyes she let her grace flow and heal all the injuries her friends had obtained around her. It was a painful pull on her newly renewed grace form. Knowing Lucifer would fell her grace spread. Healing what she could. Knew that it would hurt her. Knew to her that she had to play the card she held. The card her father gave her.
"Ramiel, what are you doing?" The worry in his voice startled the others. The evil king melting in front of heaven's princess.
"Doing what you and Michael could not." Her eyes traveled to Sam. Lucifer followed her eyes then to her. He was stumped at what his sister intended. Raising her hand, silent commands, Sam began to walk toward them. His feet faltering under him till he accepted the pull. By her side now, Sam huffed. His eyes questioning her. Ramiel winked at him. The next command he was kneeling before her. Turning her gaze from Sam to Lucifer. "You need a better vessel brother." Lucifer smiled at her. She was giving him such a lovely gift. What did he get her?
"He needs to say yes."
"And he will," Ramiel turned to Sam. "Say yes."
"Ramiel?" Sam questioned her. She ran a hand through his hair.
"Everything will be ok. Say yes." His gaze turned to the decaying vessel of Lucifer. If he said yes he would have Ramiel. She would be by his side. For always.
"Yes." Dean surged forward.
"Sammy no!" Sam looked to his brother. His face looking with such love and devotion. Turning it so it fell onto Ramiel's. He leaned into her hand.
"Ramiel," this time Castiel warned her in his gruff. Gabriel stood, shocked still by what his sister was doing. His sister was helping Lucifer. He didn't know what to comprehend. Is this what Michael intended the whole time? A wolf in sheep's clothing. Let Sam fall in love and do anything to keep it close. It was a brilliant plan, Gabriel gathered. Yet that didn't change the fact that once Lucifer was in his true vessel. His true strength would come out. And earth would burn. His home away from home.
"Ramiel?" Gabriel asked. She looked to him and smiled. An all trusting smile. Something in that smile warmed him. Just like it was before and always will be. Gabriel shut his mouth. Nodded to her. Following her orders, verbal or otherwise. Her eyes gazed into Sam's.
"Say yes, Sam." Her voice filled with honey and sweet breezes. He could never refuse it.
"Yes." Lucifer's former vesseled withered and crumpled into a pile of dust with his vacation. Sam's head lent further into his sister's hand. Grabbing it he stood up. The two smiled at one another.
"One down." She moved past Sam/Lucifer to get a better view of Dean. Anger radiated of him. She was suppose to be their friend. Yet like every other dick. She had screwed them. "Dean." Her voice still of pouring honey.
"You bitch."
"Say yes." He looked to her stunned. All on the outside could not believe what she was doing.
"No." Her face turned stern. S/L held tightly onto Ram's hand as she stepped forward.
"Dean."
"Never." Tilting her hand. Face reading you leave me no other choice. Raising her hand Dean came toward. No free will to stop his feet from moving toward her. Castiel didn't not like how his beloved sister was acting. One who he regaled so highly. Tearing open his heart at the trust he had placed in her. Cas began to advance on her. Lucifer raised his hand. He would get rid of the adversity.
"No!" Ramiel shouted grabbing the outstretched hand. This released her hold on Dean. Lucifer looked to her stunned. Her eyes pleading. "He will see." In time. Dean took a chance. He grabbed one of the discarded angel daggers and began to raise it to her. Lucifer saw and acted quickly. His hand grabbed Dean around the neck and held him in the air. The dagger falling from his hands at the quickness of lost breath. Ramiel moved to Lucifer again resting a hand on his arm. "We need him." Realizing this Lucifer let him go. Dean gasped for wanted air. She glanced at Gabriel as she knelt before Dean. "Dean, I need you to say yes." She reached out and touched his face.
Do you trust me? A voice inside his head asked. A voice he knew all to well. A voice he learned to love along with his brother. Looking into her eyes. He heard it again. Trust me Dean. Say yes. Her eyes bore down on him. Castiel did the same thing when they had private conversations. Always with a touch. Dean looked resigned and lowered his head. He wanted more info. She released her hand from him. No more intel. Looking up to her. Watching her eyes. Not knowing what she had planned. It better be good. Playing weak he grabbed her hand.
"Yes."
"Dean." Castiel spoke stern. He looked toward his angel.
"It's okay Cas." Castiel didn't know what to do. He had fought so hard. Looking from his charge to his sister. She smiled. She had saved him from Lucifer's wrath. "Yes." Dean said again. The air shifted and warmed around them. Dean stood tall. He, Michael, raised his hand in front of his eyes. Taking in his new form. So human. Feeling a squeeze on his other appendage. He looked to his sister who held it. He squeezed back.
"Sister, so good to see you. You've done well." Smiling at the praise she looked to Lucifer. Grabbing with her other hand on Lucifer, she nudged them both in front of her. Side by side. They greeted each other. Calm and cool. They wanted to move but Ramiel held her grip firm. They looked to her with question in their eyes.
"I am no prize." Her brothers knelt before her.
"What are you doing sister?" Michael spoke.
"Doing what no one else could." It felt like fire beginning to burn under their skins.
"Ramiel?" Lucifer questioned. "What?"
"Old magic. As old as our father. Whom you both betrayed. Now you will listen and learn." Her hand burned tightly on her brothers. She looked up. "Oiad monons pashs. Christeos oid noasmi faaip." The energy grew in the air. So tangible. Bobby had a hard time breathing. The pressure around them built so high then cascaded falling on and into Ramiel. She glowed. Lucifer and Michael gasped. Their eyes taking in the form before them. She let go of their hands and stood back. Slowly she examined her hands.
"Ramiel?" Gabriel spoke through the silence. Her head turned to take him in. His eyes widened and he knelt. Her eyes moved to Castiel. Looking deep from blue to gold eyes. Castiel had found what he was looking for. He did not kneel. He reached his hand inside his pocket, feeling the warm pendant trickle through his fingers. She tilted her head at him. A one sided smile filtered onto her lips. Then her gaze turned. The smile slipping away. The brothers possessed eyes taking in their sister, no.
"Father." They both acknowledged the figure before them. Her eyes traveled over them. They both began to rise. Her eyes turned stern. They decided against it. Looming over them she saw into the boys.
"Lucifer." Her voice still held the honey. This one tough had a different flavor of honey. Lucifer looked up through Sam's eyes.
"Father." Tilting her head she studied her son before her.
"Why have you done this?" Lucifer's eyes darkened.
"Because father it has always been about them. Not us."
"Lucifer, I love you all. No one more equal then the other." She rested one of her hands on his head. "You disappoint me." She looked to Michael. His eyes beamed with good son behavior. Her expression remained dark. "You both have disappointed me greatly." Taking a step back from them she looked deeply at the vessels. "You both don't deserve to walk these plains. I thought I could let you bloom like the flowers. Yet you continue to fight. To see who was more powerful. I thought I gave you enough time to grow up. It appears I was wrong. Both of you go to your rooms. Oiad virg." Thunder clapped around. For God had spoken.
Sam and Dean knelt forward. Supporting themselves on their hands.
"What the hell?" Dean spoke.
"Hell had nothing to do with this." Ramiel/God walked between them to the two remaining angels. Her fingers trailing off their shoulders as she passed.
"Hello Mom." Gabriel spoke smiling at his father in a feminine body. God smiled at her son. She looked down to her body then back to him.
"Hello Gabriel. This is new. Never been in a female before." She rested a hand on Gabriel's shoulder. "You've done well." Gabriel stood proud at the compliment. "I need you to go home and make sure that Michael remains in his room."
"You'll be returning."
"Soon." Wings fluttered and breezed. He was gone. She looked to Castiel. He stood taking in the sight and presence of his father. He was now one of the few who has seen his father. He felt honored. Also betrayed.
"My beautiful Castiel." Castiel tiled his head forward but kept his eyes on her. She rested a hand on his cheek. Raising his chin to see all of the beauty. "You are a unique one. One of my finer works. I am so proud of you."
"Where were you?" She looked up to the heavens at his question.
"Where I have always been?" walking with you. Castiel smiled slightly as she smiled upon him. And at such high praise.
"Ramiel?" Sam questioned. He knew he was interrupting a big moment with Castiel and his father. His heart though wanted to know about Ramiel. "Where is she?"
"Ramiel is where I have been." Dean stood next to his brother. Here was God before them. And boy was he pissed off at the all high.
"So what you hid so you're sons could take over. Take the reigns."
"I was merely sleeping. I wanted to see if they could prove themselves worthy of watching over this creation. Clearly that still had some issues."
"Issues, issues. You just let two powerful beings duke it out on our planet to resolve their issues."
"Yes."
"NO wonder I'm an atheist." Dean turned away frustrated at God over so many things. He also couldn't look at the visage for that was, who was Ramiel. A friend. God now inhabited his friend. He is the biggest dick of all.
"So Ramiel?" Sam had a one track mind. One track heart.
"You want her back."
"Can you do that?" God walked over toward Sam. She raised a hand to wipe his hair form his eyes.
"I can do anything. But there never was a Ramiel. It was I with a mask on. A very good one." Sam's heart plummeted. He was just getting some semblance of contentment with Ramiel. Just to have her yanked away. Attached to the ceiling and set ablaze. He couldn't give a rat's ass about God. He wanted what his heart wanted. It wanted Ramiel. Sam walked away. Through the bodies that scattered on the ground and in his heart. He had to get away from this haunting image. She now would lay beside Jess on the ceiling of their apartment. Life wasn't fair. It never was. He had to escape.
God felt his pain. Knowing she had a part but could not help it. Pain was a part of life. A part one did not create, only sooth. If she had more time she would attend to it. But now she had more pressing matters. Even the amount of time now was precious. She looked to Dean. Saw the hatred there. She had injured them all. There was no choice in the matter. Turning from those tortured eyes she went back to her son. He knew what the brothers were feeling. Himself more attuned to his human half. To the brothers under his charge.
"Castiel. I ask you a great task." Castiel stood straight but his eyes wary. She understood. She had hurt his charges. If she had time maybe she would remedy that. He nodded. "Continue what you are doing. For those have always been you orders." She reached and stroked his vessels cheek again. "My beautiful Castiel." He leaned into the touch and praise. Something every son wanted. Praise from their father.
Stepping away she nodded to Bobby, the brother's father-figure, and was gone. So were all the bodies.
Dean looked to Cas. At least one of them got to keep their angel. At least they had some good on their side. Castiel tiled his head at Dean. Cas wanted to help his charges. Dean was his main charge. Sam fell into that category trough relevance. Sam had an angel all of his own for a while. Then it turned out that there was no Ramiel. He felt a pain in his heart. Felt great sorrow with his feelings. Feeling that continued to waken.
Dean settled a hand on his shoulder. He had no plan of letting his angel go. Also wanted Castiel to know that he was part of this family. God may be back. But he belonged here.
"I need a drink." He squeezed Castiel's shoulder tighter. "So do you." The great remaining merry rag tag team made their way into the house. To celebrate. To mourn.
TBC…ALMOST THERE
