Chapter 10: Confessions and Bad Movies
Dean watched as both Gabriel and Sam came down, their hands intertwined. The smile on his brother's face made it worth it. The last time he had seen a smile like that was when Sam introduced him to Jess. Shaking his head he turned back to gun he was cleaning. Across from him, Castiel was watching with a pout. He had warned the angel not to disturb Sam but he hadn't listened and he had laughed when the angel told him of Sam's threat. So now his mate was pouting at him from across the table.
^Morning. Sorry I slept so late. I'll get started on breakfast.^ Gabe said releasing Sam only when he headed for the fridge.
"Dude is that my gun?" Sam asked, taking in what Dean was doing.
"Yeah. I've cleaned all the guns. I wasn't going to do yours but I figured what the hell. I might as well since I'm at it." Dean said as he began putting the gun back together.
"Thanks. I was going to do it myself though." Sam said. "Where's Bobby?"
"Left to go do some things." Dean replied. "Said he probably won't be back till late tonight or early tomorrow. Normal house rules apply. No wild parties, no uninvited guests, and always make sure you bury the body at least six feet deep."
^Just what kind of parties do you have?^ Gabriel asked. ^That is the strangest list of rules I have ever heard.^
"Hunter parties Gabe!" Dean said with a grin. "You always end up burying a body at those."
^Remind me never to go to yours and always bring you to mine.^ The angel said.
"Can I come too?"
The room stiffened as Crowley appeared. The demon was smiling and carrying the empty pan that held the pie he had taken the night before. He sat the pan in the sink and moved to lean against the counter next to the stove so he could face Gabriel as the angel cooked.
"Thanks for the pie mate. Best I ever had. I also found out what Lucifer is planning using your voice." Crowley said, reaching out and dragging his knuckles along the angel's arm causing him to tense.
Sam let out a growl. "Get your hands off him."
Crowley glanced up up him. "Don't get your antlers in a twist Moose. He's going to have to get used to me touching him."
"And why is that?" Dean asked, glaring at the demon.
"Because I took his advice. I decided to try and hit Lucifer in the one soft spot I know he has." Crowley held out the fake contract to the angel to look over. "What do you think?"
Gold eyes skimmed over it. ^I can see you took my words to heart. I doubt Lucifer cared though.^
"Actually he demanded to know the exit clause. He turned the most stunning shade of red and demanded that I release you from your contract. His exact words were 'You've turned my Baby Brother into a human whore!'. It was actually quite interesting to watch."
"Gabe? Are you alright?"
Everyone turned at Sam's concerned question. The archangel had frozen and was staring blankly at nothing. Crowley reached over and pulled the skillet out of the angel's limp hands and turned off the burner. Castiel came over and put his hands on Gabriel's shoulder and the angel jerked. Gabriel took a deep breath and leaned back against his bother.
"Gabriel?"
^I'm okay. Just...Lucifer said 'Baby Brother'? You're certain of that?^
"Yeah. He called you that several times." Crowley confirmed. "Is that important?"
^He stopped calling me that after the first big fight with Michael and I took Michael's side.^ Gabriel said softly. ^After that he refused to call me anything but by my name. That's why me calling him Luci pissed him off. He and I were the only ones who had nicknames for each other. I was his favorite.^
"You were Lucifer's favorite? Somehow I find that hard to believe." Dean said.
^I got my love of pulling pranks from him. All of my tricks and illusions, I learned them all from him. Before the war started we were inseparable. I actually tried to convince him not to fight and it almost worked. Then I mentioned Michael and it turned sour. I ended up going through almost a month of hell after that before Michael and Raphael got me away from him. It was only when our Father held me in his arms after they got me back that He ordered the Cage to be built. The last time I saw Lucifer after that was before he was cast down. I left before it happened.^ Gabriel said softly.
Sam, who had been reading the fake contract, looked up at the archangel. "So you think that maybe Crowley saying he's doing these things to you is upsetting him?"
^I don't know. But if he is then it might work in our favor.^ Gabriel said thinking about it.
"How would this work in our favor?" Castiel asked. "I am not sure I understand."
"Classic Big Brother Syndrome Cas." Dean said. "See...Lucifer thinks he has a right to pick on Gabe because Gabe is his baby brother. It's all well and good when he picks on him but if someone else does then they are in for a world of pain."
"So Lucifer believes that he is the only one allowed to hurt Gabriel?" Castiel asked with a tilt of his head.
"Yup. Just like how he got pissed when you threw the holy oil at Michael."
Understanding lit up in those blue eyes. "I see. Lucifer thinks that only he is allowed to hurt the other archangels because they are first born. I can see how that might work in our favor."
"Right so how do you want to play this?" Crowley asked, haven taken over the cooking. "Cause right now you are the one directing this little play."
^I guess we'll have no choice but to go down there and face Lucifer. I almost wish we had a way we could rile him up some more.^
"I have an idea." Dean said. "You might not like it though."
"Sounds good already." Crowley said flipping the omelette in the pan.
^Let's hear it Dean. It's can't be that bad.^ Gabriel said moving to help the demon cook once more. ^A plan is a plan.^
"You want to rile Lucifer up before going down there? Make a movie and send it to him." Dean said, looking over the contract too. "I'm going to assume your illusions are camera worthy right?"
Gabriel nodded. ^They are.^
"Then we make a movie. We show Lucifer exactly what Crowley is having you do. All of it an illusion. Make him see just exactly how desperate you are." Dean said.
Crowley turned to face the hunter. "I love how your mind works. How would we do it though? An actual video might be a bit much."
Dean held up his cell phone. "Make it seem like it was a last minute idea. Something for blackmail. You're good at that. After all you have that picture of you and Bobby kissing."
"I do not like this plan." Castiel said. "There are so many things that could go wrong."
"I don't like it either Cas but I don't think we have much of a choice. If this drives Lucifer to think that returning Gabriel's voice is the only way to save him then I guess we need to let it happen." Sam said. "This might be our only chance."
^Okay. In that case let's finish breakfast and then Crowley and I will go make a movie.^ Gabriel said, bring over a plate filled with omelettes and a plate piled high with pancakes.
Sam frowned. "What about us?"
Gabriel turned his golden gaze onto Sam. ^I'd rather you not see this. It might not be real but it will seem real and it's going to be graphic. Anything other then that and Luci won't buy it.^
"Gabriel I-"
The archangel came over and took Sam's hand and gave him a gentle pull. The hunter stood and let the blonde pull him from the room. He followed the angel up the stairs and back into his room. Gabriel shoved him towards the bed before turning and locking the door. That done Gabriel came over and sat on the bed with Sam and took the hunter's hands into his own.
^Sam I know this is upsetting you. Your dealings with Crowley have left a bad taste in your mouth. And now that we are just starting out you're faced with this. Believe me I can understand just how much this is upsetting you.^ Gabriel said softly. ^Talk to me. Please. I've ruined too many relationships to let you slip through my fingers Sam.^
The hunter sighed. "Your illusions aren't going to work for this are they? You just said that to appease Dean and Cas didn't you? You have to let Crowley hurt you to get what you need don't you? That's why you don't want us there."
Gabriel gripped Sam's hands tightly. ^I'm sorry Sam. I wish there was another way.^
"Please Gabriel. I want you to get your voice back but at what cost?" Sam said. "Is letting them hurt you really worth it?"
^Sam this is just a vessel and the soul that it contained is long gone. I lost him not long after I got him.^ Gabriel said softly. ^I will be just fine. I promise. Unless...^
Sam felt his heart clench at the pain that appeared in those gold eyes even as they turned away from him. "Unless what Gabe?"
^I just occurred to me that after they're done with me that you might not want me. That happened once before. Demons got the drop on me and I spent a week being their personal pet. My at the time lover didn't take kindly to the fact I had been tainted and left.^ Came the whispered admission.
"I would be the last person to judge considering that you're talking to a demon blood addict." The brunette replied. "I just can't stand the thought of you putting yourself through this."
^It's either this or let Lucifer use my power to commit atrocities that I don't really care to think about. I know that this is going to sound strange to you Sam but without my power, I don't feel like myself. I feel like I'm just someone pretending to be an archangel.^ The blonde said bring one of Sam's hands up to kiss the back of it. ^Without my power I can't give you all of me.^
The hunter let out a strangled noise at the kiss and suddenly was kissing the angel hard before pulling back to look into his eyes. "If I agree to let you do this then just promise me that you'll come back to me. Promise me. Please."
^I've waited this long for you Sam Winchester. Now that I have you nothing is going to stop me from coming back to you.^ Gabriel's golden wings suddenly appeared and the angel twisted one around and quickly and carefully plucked an inch long feather and twirled it around his fingers. ^This is my promise to you Sam. My promise to always love you. It's not a courting gift, we're not ready for that just yet but this can be a promise of that.^
Sam took the feather with shaking fingers and without hesitation pulled off his leather bracelet and held it out to Gabriel, who took it and pulled it on. "Then this is my promise Gabriel. I love you."
Those golden eyes went wide and swirled with too many emotions for the hunter to track. He blinked and found himself pressed down against the bed and was being kissed with just as much passion as he had kissed the angel with earlier. Sam moaned into the kiss and his arms went around Gabriel and held him tight to his chest. A knock at the door had the two pulling apart both of them breathing heavy.
"What?!" Sam snapped.
"Just wanted to let you know that I'm waiting." Crowley said through the door. "Just let me know when you're ready."
Sam let out a frustrated noise and he felt Gabriel's silent chuckle against his chest. Shaking his head Sam pulled Gabriel in for another kiss. The angel kissed him soundly before pulling away. He snapped his fingers and his clothes changed into a pair of cheap looking jeans and a battered t-shirt with a rather crappy jacket over it. Grinning Gabriel kissed him once more.
^I'll be back by tonight at the latest okay Sam? Until then please try not to think about what's happening okay?^ Gabriel said softly. ^I love you too. Just so you know.^
Sam's eyes went wide before he broke into a soft smile. The blonde returned his smile before he turned and unlocked the door and headed out. Going downstairs he was met by Crowley at the foot of the stairs. The demon was talking to someone on the phone. Seeing the angel however he quickly said his goodbyes and hung up giving the blonde his full attention.
"Ready then are you?" Crowley asked.
Gabriel nodded. ^I take it you want to do this at your place?^
"It's the safest place. It's also well guarded. You'll be safe. Promise." The demon said, holding out his hand. "Shall we?"
Taking a deep breath Gabriel nodded and placed his hand in Crowley's. Bobby's house vanished and the two were now standing in a richly decorated study. The Hell King released him and walked over to the desk and began shuffling papers and cleaning up the desk, putting away the papers and making it clutter free. Gabriel watched with curious eyes until the demon open a drawer and pulled out a tube and tossed it to him. He caught it and looked at it a bit surprised.
"Bathroom is through that door. Take the time you need to do what you have too. I have to set this up right or else it's not going to be believable." The King of Hell said.
^And you had red lube why?^ Gabriel asked curiously.
"You aren't the first one I've had to do something like this with. I also know that if I hurt you too bad that those boys will have my head on a platter. I know neither of us really want to do this so, being sworn to someone we care deeply for. Least I can do is make this easier on both of us."
Gabriel nodded and disappeared into the bathroom. Crowley took the time to set up the camera's he had in the room and had them set to record once he used the remote in his pocket. Pulling out an unsigned copy of the contract he had shown Lucifer he placed it on the desk along with a knife and pen and a pair of fake Sigil Cuffs. Everything was ready. The door to the bathroom opened Gabriel came out.
"Ready then? I hope you aren't too fond of those clothes. And I figured that this would be the best way to do things." Crowley said motioning to the desk.
Gabriel nodded and picked up the cuffs with a frown. ^These aren't real.^
"Can't exactly get my hands on a real pair now can I?"
Gabriel let his wings out and plucked a primary feather before dismissing them. Carefully holding the feather like a pen he channeled his Grace and burned the needed runes into the cuffs turning them into real Sigil Cuffs. Once that was done he dropped the feather and replaced the cuffs with a satisfied smile. The demon stared at the cuffs then at the angel.
"You're willing to put your life in my hands huh?"
^Once you put them on only you can take them off.^ Gabriel said. ^I'm risking a lot but if I can get my voice back then it'll be worth it. Are you ready to start?^
"Only if you are."
Gabriel nodded and Crowley moved to sit behind his desk. He took a moment and made sure they were both ready before he hit the button. He looked up at Gabriel with a wicked smirk and the angel took a hesitant step back. The King of Hell was impressed, the angel was a better actor then he thought.
"So you want to make a deal do you? And what do your darling dream team think of that?"
{They don't know. And you won't tell them. You won't tell anyone.} Gabriel signed.
"I can live with that. This is the contract I drew up. Care to look it over?"
As Gabriel hesitantly came over to look at the contract Crowley couldn't help but let his evil grin grow. The archangel looked horrified as he read over the contract but he closed his eyes and bowed his head, defeat filling his frame. He picked up the pen with a shaking hand and signed his name before throwing it back down on the desk and looking up at the demon with tears in his eyes. This was going to work after all.