CHAPTER TEN

Sam sat on one of the hard wooden chair across from Gabriel. He'd seen the shock on his face when he'd walked in behind the Sergeant but it hadn't been the surprise of being reunited with an old friend. – Not that they were friends. – It was the look of someone who'd seen something they thought didn't exist suddenly appear. He knew that look well; he'd seen it in people's eyes for years.

Gabriel had told the sergeant he'd take the 'replacement' under his wing but since the man had left, the archangel hadn't said a word to him. He just turned his attention back to John Wayne.

Sam watched him though. He wasn't comfortable. His jaw was clenched tight; his back stiff even though his was trying to look relaxed. His arms were folded across his chest and he didn't speak to the men as his side. All in all, Sam figured he was trying a little too hard to ignore him.

Sam was about to lean over to speak to him when the flap of the tent moved again and a tall red-haired man walked confidently in. Everyone shifted in their seat and moved to stand until he waved them to stay seated. His face was firm but friendly.

"Okay, Men… I know this is short notice and I would love to let you all finish the film." He looked over his shoulder to the large screen. "… but I'm afraid we have our orders, we move out in twenty minutes heading north."

The men groaned and Sam watched Gabriel slouch in his seat, shaking his head, the men beside him complaining about having only been in camp forty eight hours and that they weren't meant to be leaving for another two days.

"I know men, orders are orders and there's been troop movement spotted, so don't just sit there, move." The Major's voice was sympathetic and hard all at once.

The men jumped up from their seats and started to pile out after the Major.

"You just going to sit there?" Gabriel snapped at Sam's side.

The hunter looked up into amber eyes and shot to his feet. "Gabriel… we need to talk."

Scott stalled beside his friend. "Gabriel? So that's your name is it?" he laughed. "Always wondered." He looked between the tall man and his friend. "You two know each other then?"

Gabriel sent Sam a death glare. "No."

"Yes." Sam said at the same instant.

Scott looked both confused and amused. "I see, well, welcome to hell kid, enjoy." He slapped Gabriel on the back and walked to the flap. "Come on Gabe; let's get this show on the road." He called back before disappearing.

The two men stood alone in the tent. Gabriel glared at Sam, Sam merely watched the archangel, neither speaking.

"We've got to go. I have no intention of being put on report." He went to leave but Sam gripped his shoulder tight.

"Gabriel, we need to talk."

The shorter man yanked out of the man's grip. "Listen kid, I don't know who you are, or who you think I am, but we don't have time for some kind of heartfelt chick-flick moment right now. We've got orders to move out, so I suggest you come with me, grab your kit and get ready for a very long march." He started on his way again, his mind buzzing. He paused only a second, turning back to meet the giant. "Oh and for future reference kid, my names Trick."

Sam didn't miss the anger in Gabriel's voice and more than he missed the use of 'chick-flick', did they even have chick-flicks in the 1940's. He couldn't help but smile. There was hope yet. Gabriel may not remember, maybe didn't want to, but it was in there, in his subconscious, all Sam had to do was get him to listen to it.

St. Michael's Hospital

Muncie, Indiana

Dean was tearing at the label on his second beer when the movement of Gabriel's body caught his attention. He'd though for a second that Sam had done it. He'd jumped to his feet only so see Gabriel and Sam still unconscious.

He frowned as he lowered himself back into the chair, hoping that the jerking movement of the archangel didn't mean that the pair were in trouble.

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing :D

tmmdeathwishraven asked why Gabriel's name in the story is Trick and in case anyone else was wondering its so you can clearly indentify him as Gabriel without naming him as such, because he doesn't know who he is at the moments and as the one-time Trickster it seemed more fitting than pulling a name at ramdom out of a hat. :)