Chapter 10

"If I remember correctly, there is an old barn that is perfect for the summoning. Far enough away to keep civilians safe but close enough to a town should anything go south," Angela said as she leaned against Lonelle Chevelle looking at Dean while she fished a cigarette out of her jacket pocket and lit it.

"Not to criticize your health choices Angie but seriously, you still haven't quit the smoking?" Dean looked at her while Bobby was buying spray paint. It was one thing they were low on and even Angela couldn't conjure that up with her kit.

Angela took a puff. Actually she hadn't smoked since before Dean died. She drank a lot but since they hooked back up, that petered off. She replied, "Actually I haven't smoked in four months." She gave a slight smile as she held the lit cigarette. "The drinking picked up but it is one of the benefits of being a dhampir that I can't get drunk but it does slow the reflexes a bit."

"You don't drink as much. I saw you."

"You came back. My world sort of got put back together," Angela replied as she looked off in the distance. It sounded cheesy but it seemed to be the best explanation for it. She then looked at Dean and added, "It was trying Dean. Being kidnapped while fresh with grief and thinking that the Rose you come to care for hates you for what you did and then the Old Man… It seemed a good course to prevent a spiral downwards. That… and the escape attempts." She took another puff of her cigarette.

Dean could buy that. He didn't doubt that she was like a caged lion with that douche that he wanted to issue payback to. He did notice that she used the code word they came up with… well he did… for her feelings about Sam. Hell he saw how she reacted when Sam straddled her and thumbed her wrists and his face was within kissing distance. She wanted to do it and Dean's other brain saw that she may have liked that.

Brushing aside the fantasy for later, Dean focused on what the conversation at hand was about. He replied, "Why would you think Sam would hate you?"

Angela knew that Dean used Sam's name deliberately to bring around the focus of the conversation. She gave a tap to her cigarette and took another puff. "I used my powers offensively against him and I thought that he thought I ditched him."

"You know Sam wouldn't think you ditched him considering he helped you open the damn gate and he said that he saw the guy that took you," Dean replied half scolding and half consoling. She had enough from him about the big speech they had before the pit. "But the whole powers against him thing… Angie you've used them before on him. That whole calming him down in that haunted house from our mini-vacation."

"I asked permission to do it. This time I just did it."

"And what did you do? Make him shave his hair or something?"

As funny as it sounded, Angela didn't laugh. It still was a sore spot but it was tempered by the fact that Sam had reassured her that he wasn't upset about it and that he understood her position. She couldn't have asked for a better man than that which made her feel that what she wanted could never be achieved no matter how much 'friendly shoves' were given. She replied, "Remember that trick I did to get you to pass out when we first met? Well I used a milder form of the same spell. I stunned him."

"You stunned Sam just by touching his forehead?"

"Yep and he said he wasn't pissed," Angela replied looking at the ground as she finished the cigarette. "We talked after you fell asleep. We were supposed to after the gate thing and I got you back. Then things happened as they did and we're here now." She flicked the spent cigarette away.

"And how did that talk work out?" Dean was genuinely curious but he was respectful of her feelings to not ask for details.

"We're okay but I just have this feeling that there is something amiss and I'm not sure if it is my overblown sense of paranoia. I can't explain it really. It's a really weird tick that just won't go away." She looked at Dean who was studying her. She wasn't put out by it. Hell, she thought she deserved it considering that she hadn't been exactly forthcoming on recent events. "You thinking I'm off my rocker?"

Dean wasn't thinking that at all. He had some suspicions regarding Sam and he was glad that he wasn't alone in that respect. The way how Angela was describing her gut feeling, it was more like she had her psychic mojo going. She did have some connection with the others that they found. She did manage to tell him at some point how she talked to that Andy kid so he wasn't too far off that it was that. He also guessed that it had to do with her being in love with Sam and it made her more observant with the things he did and said. He replied, "Not at all Angie. I'm thinking the Rose has a hand in this one."

"Good to know that I'm not crazy. Then you would have to watch out."

"You're not gonna be one of them Angie. Sam and I won't let ya," Dean asserted. He knew she was talking about that Fallen they met up with and about what she did to Ruby. He felt his hair get ruffled and he grinned. She was the only one he would let do that.

"Thanks Dean." Angela sighed as she stretched a little. "It is good to have you back. Sach could be a wet blanket at times."

That brought up what Dean was hoping that they could talk about if she didn't clam up. It was an opening and he was going to take it. "Angie, Sam mentioned you escaped multiple times. Was it really that bad?"

"Very," Angela replied, "At least from my end." She thought about how to word it so she didn't sound like those papers that printed fear to make money. "The Old Man believes that everyone had their place and purpose and we are supposed to follow it. I really didn't and from his view I was endangering the welfare of all by first trying to get your contract and then making it so that I would be the one to yank you out of hell.

"I don't know where he took me but he spent the days pitting me against things and had different tests to get me to use my powers. I am not proud to say that method worked. I don't have qualms using them in a fight but I still feel bad about it."

"You like to fight fair Angie. I get that and Sam does too. It does explain why you worked so hard to teach us how to fight more of your kind," Dean replied as he took the spot next to her and leaned against the car.

Angela nodded and hummed a bit. Her boys had grown up. "He also tried to get me to see how important I am in the grand scheme of things. He's one of those who has read too much about my exploits with Absolution.

"The fact that I wasn't able to so what I was supposed to do, which is look after Sam, it pissed me off. I resisted and fought him. I escaped and was brought back and punished for it." She looked at Dean when she heard his intake of air and said, "Let me tell you something, physical torture is nothing compared to the mental and emotional torture. Physically you eventually end up in a place where the blows are no longer painful or you learn to tune it out. The mental/emotional, it can really mess you up if you don't keep your focus. Of course there were times that I almost believed him but there was always the truth that kept me focused."

"What truth?"

"That you and Sam would come."

Dean studied Angela and she turned towards him to give a smile. That produced the warmest feeling he ever had. It sounded almost childlike; it was something that Sam would say and he felt like the big brother again. "You have to hit the nail on the head don't ya Angie?"

"When I speak the truth," Angela replied smiling at Dean. "I know I stink with soul searching and revealing feelings but I try."

"Hey I'd rather have a chick flick moment from you than from Samantha," Dean replied pleased that she volunteered her feelings with such ease. The past four months may have been horrible but she seemed to have grown up in some way. "You're prettier about it."

Angela raised her brow in a bemused fashion, "Still trying to flirt with me?"

"Always do cause you're the most gorgeous healer to walk this earth and you know it." Dean gave a genuine smile that wasn't full of shit. He did think Angela was attractive and not just in the physical way. She had more to her than some of the girls he picked up for one night stands. "Not just anyone is allowed to call me the names you do."

"So you like being my bulldog? You like having me ruffle your hair and pinch your cheeks as well as make verbal threats of changing your taste buds?"

"Most definitely."

"Never thought that I would get one of the Winchester boys to be my bitch," Angela replied with a smirk as she tried to be serious.

"Yeah I'm your bitch," Dean replied in a fit of humor. He knew that he had it bad and there was no denying it. He pretty much fell over his own feet to do whatever she asked. "Though Sam is the bigger bitch."

Angela gave a slight hum. She knew not to get upset when Dean called Sam a bitch. It was one of those things that were a brother thing in its own weird way. "It is true though. Even though you probably wouldn't be able to find me, I knew that if it were feasibly possible, you would do it. To be honest you and Sam are the first humans who would do that."

"I got your back Angie. Even if you do stupid things regarding your feelings… I get that since we've all gone through it." Dean sighed as he changed the subject, "So you ready for finding out what the big nasty is?"

Angela noticed that Bobby was coming out of the store with a bag. No doubt he bought out the whole store since he was going to take no chances on the whole summoning what pulled Dean out of hell. She replied, "I'm up for anything at this point. Did you have to buy out the whole place Bobby?"

"Eh," Bobby groused at Angela before handing her his load. "I still think this is a bad idea you two idjits want to do."

Angela took the bags in good humor. Bobby had every right to be wary of the whole situation. She knew that he suspected her little withholding of a vital piece of information. Being honest with herself, she was still in serious denial about the little signs she had been seeing since she heard the voices in her head. Of course she wasn't going to say anything about the nightmares she had of Dean being tortured which were interchanged with her own memories.

So she put on a slight smile and replied, "Every idea I get is bad so take a number Bobby."

Bobby grumbled as he got into the driver's seat. Dean gave a slight chuckle as he looked at Angela, "Seriously?"

"Hey he told me a hell's gate was the Grand Canyon of bad ideas. Quite frankly most of them are. Sometimes I get lucky," she replied shrugging her shoulders as she went around getting back into the car.

Dean followed suit giving a slight frown. As far as he was concerned, most of her ideas were good; even the on the fly ones were pretty good. He said nothing about it but he did accept the dog biscuit she handed him with a slight smile and grinned back and took a bite. "Damn you still got the touch with these Angie."

"Idjits," Bobby muttered.

Sam was officially freaked out by what was happening and what had happened. He had gone back to the diner to take care of the demons only to find that whatever had burnt out Pam's eyes had did the same to the demons except for the waitress. At least was able to deal with one but it bugged him that the waitress didn't survive.

"Getting pretty slick there, Sam. Better all the time."

Sam stood up after looking at the dead girl to see the girl that he had in his room when Dean came in. He took a moment to look at her and actually found himself comparing her to Angela, a thing that surprised him especially considering the quick conclusions that came. He kept it to himself though and replied, "What the hell's going on around here, Ruby?"

Ruby considered Sam for a moment. For four months she had been around and she was surprised that the bitch who didn't hesitate to raise a fist to her wasn't around. She knew Angela would have circled the wagons and bared her fangs… literally.

It actually worried her. She had been hearing things all over. The one consistent thing she had been hearing was that Absolution had come back from the dead. That had her perplexed and then she heard about what happened to Dean. It couldn't be a coincidence or could it? She gave the honest answer, "I wish I knew."

Sam figured that Ruby wouldn't know. "We were thinking some high-level demon pulled Dean out."

"No way," Ruby answered. "Sam, human souls don't just walk out of hell and back into their bodies easy." She studied Sam as she continued, "They just don't unless they have someone like Absolution doing it and she's been gone for months."

Sam tried not to let his reaction show. He was still protective of Angela since he told her to stay off the grid and away. Just telling her that hurt since he felt like he was kicking her out and she hadn't wanted to go. So he was to blame a little for making it seem like she had disappeared for four months instead of two. He replied, "It could have been her."

"Please Sam. The most popular phrase on the grapevine is that Absolution has returned from the dead," Ruby replied. "That means she has been gone, probably dead and now brought back. This kind of thing… the sky bleeds, the ground quakes. It's cosmic. No demon can swing that. Not Lilith. Not anybody." Her expression was deadly serious.

"Then what can?" Sam looked at Ruby. He wanted to know what was going on. He had the inkling suspicion that aside from his brother, it involved Angela. That bastard that took her did it for a reason and he never forgot what he said to him when he took her.

Don't tempt fate, boy.

Granted Sam had no idea what he meant, he knew a threat when he saw it. The guy probably thought that he was going to do something but he had no idea what. Well he was going to do something. Aside from getting revenge against Lilith, he was going to get the bastard that took her. He didn't want to admit it to her but he had the suspicion that the guy, the Old Man, hurt her and in a way that couldn't be seen physically. He saw it in her demeanor.

"Nothing I've ever seen before," Ruby replied looking genuinely scared.

"So we're dealing with something new?"

"And very powerful," Ruby replied. She saw the look on Sam's face. She added, "There was only one time that the fabric of the universe was given a gaping wound and that was nearly a year ago. Every demon could feel it and they were scared."

Sam thought about it. A year ago Dean made the deal but that couldn't be it. He died then but that was hardly worth it. He had no idea what would scare a demon that bad. "And what could scare a demon so bad?"

Ruby looked at Sam. He really didn't have a clue. He didn't understand why she had been checking on them and particularly bugging the hell out of their bitch guard dog. She replied, "The one person who actually could have gotten Dean's contract before this if she had the balls to use the whole arsenal."

It dawned on Sam who Ruby was talking about. Angela? He always knew that she had serious mojo abilities but she was very strict on their use. The most she would ever show was if she needed an extra pair of hands in the kitchen. She had admitted that her telepath/empath was pretty strong and the wigging out at the Morton House was a good indicator of that. "What arsenal?" he asked playing the dumb card.

Ruby recognized the tactic and scoffed at the pathetic attempt. "The arsenal." She stared at Sam and it was clear that he was going to play dumb on this. He was going to protect her and Ruby knew that she was going to have to work at it if she was going to have more influence over Sam. "Sam, that guard dog that has been following you around has power that Lilith could only dream of."

"I hardly think that being able to make arcane spells work is called power."

"Sam, a year ago the demons were scared because she tore the very fabric of the universe. Then she plays with fire going up against Lilith in Monument. Now Dean gets sprung and there's rumor that a demon was given a permanent pass to the pit."

"You don't even know that it was her," Sam countered.

"Right and I'm sure you didn't notice anything strange going on."

Sam eyed Ruby closely. He wasn't going to admit that he had seen Angela and what she had done. It could have been easily explained away since she was a healer and she explained how it worked in regards to her abilities. As far as he was concerned her greatest talent was in playing doctor.

Ruby knew that Sam knew that Angela was back and somewhere. Where, he wasn't going to tell and she did have to admire his loyalty to her. In fact her ability to inspire such loyalty has been coveted by all demons and other things. Humans called it charisma but Angela was a natural leader. Ruby had observed as men flocked to her banner and were quick to fight beside her. The partners she acquired had her back and she had theirs.

"Well certainly the strange thing going on," a new voice entered. "Certainly I expected more of a demon problem but then seeing as what happened here…"

Ruby looked up and her eyes flickered black at the stranger. She glanced at Sam whose expression was grim but his throat was convulsing in recognition. She looked back at the stranger and asked, "Sam?"

Sam looked at the figure he knew well. "What are you doing here Sacha?"

Sacha took a puff on his cigarette. He had promised that he would go home but at this point he felt he was involved too much. He had hung around the diner after the Winchesters left and quizzed the demons himself. Like the Winchesters, he could see that they were scared. He had wondered what the hell his savior was involved with and sort of wished that he had pushed for more answers. In a way though he, was glad since he probably would run for the hills.

He looked at Sam and replied, "I was curious. Like the smelly bitch here, I noticed that there have been unusual behavior patterns of the black eyed freaks. So after you had a meal, I asked around."

"And they would just talk to you?" Ruby shot the answer back in sarcasm. "You, a bloody vampire? You are a vampire right?"

Sacha studied Ruby. He knew she was a demon since he could smell it. He had been around his fair share of them and he recognized the stench. He was surprised that the Old Man dealt with them, which was part of the reason why he decided to turn against him. "I'm a noble by nature but you can call me Sacha."

Sam resisted the urge to try anything rash with this guy. As soon as he met him, he didn't like him and it wasn't because he was a vampire. It vaguely occurred to him that it was because he was the one that helped Angela escape and she seemed at ease with him; sort of like how she was with him when they talked and Dean had a sexcapade. "What do you want?"

"The same as you," Sacha replied as he walked around and looked at the bodies on the ground. He puffed on his cigarette as he examined the bodies. He could catch the stench of burnt out flesh. It was hours old but still there. "Answers. Mostly as to why a mutual friend of ours seems put out at the very mention of the phrase 'Absolution has risen from the dead.'"

"Try taking it literal," Ruby spat. "Absolution has disappeared for months. She might as well be dead."

Sacha glanced at the demon as he walked over to where the demon waitress lay. He could make out the faint lines. He kneeled by the body to examine closer, "Oh I would agree that she did die for some time. Right Sam?"

"It seems like it," Sam replied through gritted teeth. If this vampire saw things that he was keeping from Dean and from Angela, there was no telling if he would spill them or not. He wasn't prepared to go through the blackmail game but he was willing if it meant that he would at least tell her.

Sacha knew he was pushing it being there but he wanted to help his Angelique. "Of course the place where she had been was considered the land of the dead. So mystery solved there."

"Wow, we have a genius here," Ruby replied. She took a few steps forward as she studied the smoking vampire to get a better look. "So you have a better idea of what we're dealing with?"

Sacha stood up and looked at the two staring back at him. He knew things because he was the observer and enforcer. It had been his job under the Old Man and in exploring his new found freedom, he found that he couldn't stop. This demon that was hanging around his Angelique's Sam was bad news and he only had exchanged a few words with her.

Sacha knew that he had a persona that was often annoying to most people since he could come off as a condescending ass or a complete asshole but it served its purposes in his observations. He decided to go with it and replied, "Actually I don't know." He took a final puff on his cigarette. "But I am certain that Angelique does… well she does give off the aura that she does." He shot a look at Sam.

Sam locked his eyes on the vampire. He really didn't like him and he was implying that Angela knew what was going on and maintaining that she didn't know anything. He knew that Sacha was referring to Angela since Angelique was French for her name.

Ruby frowned at Sacha, "And who the hell is Angelique?"

Sacha decided to have fun with her. He knew that Sam knew who he was talking about. He replied, "Just someone who knows things like me. I'm sure you're familiar with our kind; we deal in information."

"So you're a stoolie; someone's bitch," Ruby deadpanned.

"Sweetheart," Sacha replied letting his European accent come through, "I'm no one's bitch. What I find out, I keep and I cash in for my gain." He turned to leave after squashing his dead cigarette. He had seen what he needed to see. He paused at the door to catch Sam's eye. "As fun as this has been, the whole spy game gets old but then again sometimes information is best told from someone who is trusted rather than a stranger."

Sam watched as Sacha left. He didn't know why the vampire was there but in his mind he could be a threat. Not to him but to her. He turned his attention back to Ruby who was still frowning at the fact that they had been interrupted.

A/N: Angie and Dean have a talk and Sam and Ruby meet Sacha who knows Sam's dirty little secret. Oh boy is right for next time on Absolution Rises...