Chapter 13

There was a time Angela could remember when she would take her baby Deanna out just to feel the breeze ripple through her hair. She would take her out, lower the top and take off down the highway. There was nothing like it. At the moment though it was hardly enjoyable as she adjusted to follow the curve of the road, noting the change in the light in the sky and just heaved a sigh. Even if she gunned the engine and went top speed, there was no guarantee that she was going to get there with time to spare. Plus she wanted to avoid the unnecessary complication of a ticket.

Cerebus put his head in his alpha's lap and made a slight noise as she rubbed his head while she drove. He sensed her agitation and tried to soothe it. He knew though that the only way to make it better was to get her to her alpha. Only he was able to soothe that agitation. Of course that meant going after the demon that he had smelled on his alpha's alpha. He had been more restrained in letting his displeasure known and it made sense to send the pup in.

Angela continued to rub Cerebus' head. She knew that he was worried too but he was being like a regular dog and soothing her. It was probably why the demons were laughing at the fact that she took the prize bitch of hell and turned him into a lap dog. That was her, taking something and turning it against the other side. Mary once said she was practical in that respect. She used what she had and made those tactical decisions…

Yeah and look where it got you. You end up alone with your friends killed. One day it'll end up being that you'll lose Cas and Gabe too.

"You know your thoughts can be poison."

It took a lot of control to keep control and maintain the speed she was going. It didn't hide her irritation though as she glanced to her right and nearly scowled as she said, "If I weren't driving I would kick your ass as I would Cas' for that."

Ares couldn't help but smirk as he propped his elbow on the widow. There was enough space to allow for the hell mutt to be between them. He couldn't resist petting the mutt even if it was the rump. "Huh, I guess Uncle Hades will be glad to know that his prize hound is being well cared for."

"Not the point of this Ares," Angela replied through gritted teeth. "What the fuck do you want now from me?"

Ares lay back in the front seat. He knew that he was being a pain in the ass but after everything that had happened, since he was a fairly diligent god of war, he had to see for himself what was going on. He replied, "Oh I just decided to drop in on my favorite warrior princess since there were some rather unusual changes in the ether."

"You and everybody else feeding me that usual line," Angela muttered.

"And yet you haven't tried to get rid of us yet."

"Only because I know the purpose of the gods and they still have clout since they have believers." Angela made a sharp turn onto a service way. "Are you here to actually contribute to what is going on or to just piss me off?"

"Now don't go off like that," Ares said in an almost pouting tone. "I only come around when it's important. Things have changed since the days of myth and legend." His voice took an almost mocking tone when describing the days when magic was still accepted and believed in along with gods and goddesses.

"And you like to manipulate the situation just to satisfy your whims. I don't have time for this." Angela adjusted her speed to allow Cerebus to get into the back seat. It was a little crowded up front.

"Right because we have come down to the final two or three seals and whether or not a troublesome pest will be let out of the box. Oh never mind, it will happen."

"Don't be an ass," Angela retorted, "Things can be changed."

"Of course. You who believes that we all have a choice and make our own destiny."

"It's not a bad thing. The past becomes a part of you and it can motivate how you want things to end up." Angela gave a slight shrug of her shoulders as the wind blew her loose locks back. "Besides it would be dull if people did what they were supposed to do."

"True," Ares offered, "But we know that sometimes people need order otherwise they can't function."

Angela would have said something but at the moment her phone rang. She gave a warning look at the god who was just enjoying the ride and put her hands free set in her ear, "Hey Bobby. You got anything?"

One of these days yer gonna have to tell me how ya do that.

"Better you don't know," Angela replied with their joke in a soft tone. "Seriously Bobby, you got anything on Sam?"

So the idjit did call ya.

"I called him."

Figures. Anyway I've been riding the databases and the cops found a white Escalade dumped in a ditch outside Elk River.

Angela made a slight sound at that, "Figures Sam would listen to me on that one." She remembered teaching Sam that lesson. He thought he had her pinned and was going to get her to tap out. She didn't and then became the aggressor. "Well I'm a few hours away."

Right. I also pulled up a weather map and signs…

"He's in Cold Spring," Angela said. She put her foot to the pedal and the Camaro sped up.

There are demon signs like a neon sign. It's a good place to start looking.

"He's there Bobby," Angela said. She glanced at Ares who was motioning that she was running this show. "I just know it," she added in a low tone.

Okay Angie. Do your thing with that. I'm not even gonna ask how you just know but… You should really wait up for Dean. He's mad right now about the whole thing but this is about getting Sam back. Not pushing him away.

"Preaching to the choir, Bobby," Angela replied as she took another road. "It's Sam's life and what he's doing with it that has Dean pissed."

Get Sam back. Don't push him away.

"I know that Bobby," Angela replied. She ignored the god who was shamelessly listening to the conversation even though it was one sided for him. "I know we are heading for the wire now. There is still a chance to stop it from getting to the final seal." Her features contorted into a pensive expression that was almost sad. "There is time to make it so that things fall where they are supposed to be no matter what."

Not everything is about…

"I gotta go Bobby. I'll call you when I find Sam." Angela cut Bobby off and removed her earpiece. She put both hands on the wheel and took a breath as she continued forward.

"Real smooth there. You want to save Sam but you sense that in order to do it you have to be the one that suffers," Ares mused as he took in the thrill of going faster. As a god he didn't need human transportation but sometimes he indulged and liked it especially if someone knew what they were doing. When Angela failed to respond, he added, "Perhaps you should just stop and let everything run its course and let the cage be opened."

Angela braked and almost pulled a 180. She maneuvered the car to face the right way and it was a blessing of sorts that no other vehicles were on this stretch of road. She looked at the god and asked, "Now why would I stop Sam to let Lilith open the cage? Are you nuts?"

"Let Sam kill Lilith and the last seal is broken. Lucifer comes out to play. It will be the greatest war this world has seen since the time of the Ancients."

Angela looked at the god like he was insane. She had raised her brow at him. "You do realize that if Lucifer is let out, he will let the world burn."

"Not if you do your job and lead the armies of the Champions against him. Of course I'd like it better if you took him out yourself. I always said that you were very capable. Even the royal court knows it." Ares looked at Angela with a pointed look that hid if he was annoyed or amused. His features had him looking like he was in a state of perpetual frowning. "Of course I would like to see you really take on the First."

Angela continued to look at the god. Like most things she had sized up, what they said was full of double meanings or play on words. Gods were no exception and she felt the need to be wary with Ares. Gabriel had the propensity to do the same but he did it more to play a joke on her. Anything serious he was hard put to tell it straight. She allowed, "The angels said that I was to help the one that begins it end it."

Ares made a face at that as he replied, "Actually it is the one who begins it will end it but the Malachi is the one that will decide and pass judgment upon all." He gave a smirk and added, "Funny how they left that little bit out."

"Tell me about it," Angela replied as she looked forward. She then looked at the god and asked, "If Sam goes through with it, Lucifer still goes free?"

"You can't prevent what is to happen. You of all people should know that there are things that are supposed to happen. The timing can be left up to just anyone and anything. Besides it is a gift that you will be plunged into the fight, hurtled into the chaos. The world will tremble at your feet."

Angela looked at the god. She had heard that in various forms over the years but lately with the events that have happened… "I am not some chess piece to be moved about at will."

"Sadly no and I'm glad of it. You wouldn't be my warrior queen if it was like that. We all have a role though princess. Even us gods have a purpose. It was the way the Creator made us; he made you." Ares gestured towards Angela and gave a slow smile. He took in her expression and noted how uncomfortable she was with him in close proximity. It was fun getting under her skin. "Look, stop Sam and help him, don't and let him go after the First… in the end Lucifer's cage is getting popped and time for you to put the big girl boots on."

Angela had turned away from the god and looked down at the steering wheel. It seemed that the god was basically telling her that no matter what she did things were going to happen. It was easy for a god to see things in the big picture since they were virtually immortal. She let her thoughts drift as she stared downward at the steering wheel.

Cat you are what you are now. There is no changing that.

Only the journey is written, not the destination or vice versa. In the end we all end up at where we're supposed to be. The choices we make just provides the filling for the story.

Ares watched as she thought about things. Maybe he was being a douche about giving her a tidbit here and there about things; it wasn't like she wasn't going to figure it out anyway. While it would be a major inconvenience for Lucifer to be out and about, he wouldn't mind seeing the warrior princess in action and he was also curious about the Winchesters. It was rare that he got two capable warriors that took up the mantle she did and without the full picture. A major plus was that he liked them.

It seemed like a long time for Angela to make up her mind and it had Ares asking, "Well? What's it gonna be? Personally I look forward to seeing you fight. I've always said that you had a way of making it seem like an art form."

Ares would have said more but was silenced when Angela put her hand over his mouth. It wasn't a firm clasp but it was enough to silence him on the matter. It was also a risk since there was the chance that he could retaliate in a violent manner. It was a testament to how she affected people around her and she was pretty bold when challenging beings like gods and angels. She said, "I get it Ares."

"Get what?"

"I get that things will happen regardless. The thing is though that as long I am comfortable with the road I am taking then it is good. It will probably hurt like hell but I'll do it and with little to no regret." Angela looked at the god of war with a lopsided smile.

"So what are you going to do?"

"Find Sam and hopefully save him from himself." She turned and put the car into gear and sped off down the highway.

"I knew there was a reason why I liked you."

"Don't even go there." The Camaro screeched off down the highway. There was lost time to be made up.

Sam dried his face after he washed it off and looked in the mirror. He had a bad feeling about going after one of Lilith's entourage. He would feel a lot better if Angela could confirm it. Even though she hadn't been doing that in a long time, there was a sure thing about her getting in touch with people and finding out. There was also the fact that she knew what to look for. Yet Ruby had a point. Even with a phone call, there was no guarantee that Angela would be in the vicinity. More likely she was with Dean and that meant they would be coming after him anyway.

He continued to stare at himself as he put back on his shirt and buttoned it. He couldn't shake the feeling that he might be doing something wrong but he knew he was doing right. It sounded weird even in his own head but it made sense to him. He glanced at Sasha where she was lying down and giving him that soulful look he was guilty of using on his brother one too many times. She had moved when Ruby came near and it was obvious to Sam that it was going to be a difficult arrangement; more like the way how Ruby and Angela got along.

Sam finished buttoning his shirt and ventured, "So, our demon gourmet nurse. You sure?"

Ruby was sitting on the couch in the suite and eyeing Sasha warily. It had been a relief that the mutt finally moved after not moving the rest of the night and into the day. It still had her nervous since when she walked over to the couch, the mutt let out a low growl when she got too close. It actually had both her and Sam stop at the sound. It wasn't until Ruby backed up a step that Sasha got up and moved to another spot and then let out a low rumble. They definitely had to lose the mutt. She focused on Sam and nodded, "She'll be there. Graveyard shift's tomorrow night. In the meantime, if you're gonna be strong enough to kill Lilith, you're going to need more than I can give you now."

It was not really something warm and fuzzy to hear and it had Sam sigh. He even heard Sasha sigh and add a reproachful moan to it. He really didn't like doing it but he liked the fact that it made him stronger. He felt that he could do something with whatever had been done to him when he was a baby. It was like the hallucination of his mom said. He was taking a curse and turning it into something good. Why beat himself up for the fact that he was cursed?

Ruby studied Sam as he sighed and said, "Sam? Come on. It's okay."

"I know I need more, I get it, I know it's okay, but..." Sam picked up the knife he had used and looked at it. "I just wish that Dean trusted me."

"And her?" Ruby raised her brow. As much as she was on a mission she was curious. She had never met someone who could be a pain in the ass whether they were loved or hated by the target. She didn't get it and sure as hell the angels probably didn't get it either.

"Angie's different," was all Sam said. He played with the knife a bit as he turned to think.

"Well I'll say since the broad is over five hundred years old," Ruby countered. She didn't care that it irked Sam that she called her names. It went both ways. "She probably knows how to make it appear so she's the good guy in all of this."

Sam turned on his heel and pointed with the knife, "She is not like that. Not with us."

"Sam, think about it for a second. How do you think she survived all these years? I admit being friends with a few choice gods and an angel or two help but…" Ruby shrugged her shoulder on a suggestive note. "Let's face it: How many of her contacts have you met that you actually liked and not just tolerated?"

There were quite a few that he had met that he tolerated and at least one he could say that they all tolerated and didn't count since she didn't like the guy either. He replied, "Not everyone is happy with what she does but she does the best she can."

"And I'm sure that you can find them."

"Just let it go Ruby. I'm going with your lead on this. If Angie is on the trail of Lilith in her own way… then more the merrier. She does things her way and I'm good with it."

"Really Sam? I mean you're talking about the broad that killed herself trying to take on Lilith the first time."

"And we got her back. Just drop it," Sam replied a bit forcefully. He turned away to look through the window. He put his hands on his hips and took a couple of breaths.

Trust me?

He was tempted to reply to that. The last time he heard those words was when Angela saved their asses from some compound that was going to explode. I trust you. But do you trust me?

I trust you with my life. I know when push comes to shove… I can always rely on you and Dean.

Do you trust me to do this? I'm drinking demon blood to end this so you don't have to.

I could argue and tell you that you might be wrong but I'm hardly one to say that since I've used demons to get information; I tortured them. It's why Alistair decided to see what I'm made of.

Sam looked down as he took a couple of breaths. He didn't notice Sasha had moved from her spot to go sit by him until he felt her lean against his leg. She was sitting straight up so it didn't look like she was leaning. He looked down and she looked up at him with that reproachful look of hers. "I just hope that when this is over we can fix things," he said as he looked back up and turned to look at Ruby.

Ruby studied Sam and replied, "Maybe you can." She took a step forward but stopped when Sasha growled low in her chest. She sighed in exasperation, "If this is going to work you need to get rid of the mutt."

"She won't do anything."

"Sam, that is a Wilder."

Sam made a gesture, "Is that supposed to mean anything?"

"Wilders know how to sniff out demons," Ruby looked at Sam like he was being stupid on purpose.

"Then she can help us make sure we have the right one."

"They are bred to hunt us. In case you haven't noticed it doesn't like me." Ruby gestured at Sasha as the mutt rumbled in her chest. "If anything she could give us away."

Sam looked at Sasha. So far she hadn't done anything to indicate that she was going to be a problem. True she had let her disdain for Ruby show but that was more along the lines of merely tolerating Ruby's presence. "She's not going to be a problem Ruby."

"You don't know that. Wilders can't be trusted since they only obey their master."

Sam looked at Sasha. She was sitting like she was prepared to obey any order he was going to give. He made a slight motion with his fingers and she sat up in a reared position and looked at him expecting a treat. He looked at Ruby and said, "See? It's fine." He reached for his jacket and looked in the pockets and was surprised to find a biscuit in his pocket.

Ruby didn't quite believe it as she watched the mutt catch the biscuit as it was tossed to her. She looked at Sam and said, "If you think she can stay, then fine but I still think that she is only humoring you."

Sam gave Ruby a look. "She goes with and that's it. Okay?"

Ruby looked at the mutt. Sasha looked at her and the rumble sounded like a growl but the slightly high pitched whine overshadowed it. You're good mutt but let's see who is better. She looked at Sam and said, "Fine but keep it away from me. At least it can make a positive ID on our gourmet chef nurse."

Sam said nothing as they got ready to pack up. They had to leave soon since Dean was sure to be on his trail. They couldn't stay too long but night was better to move out. As he put on his jacket he thought about whether or not he was being rational bringing Sasha along. Truth was she wasn't his dog so it could mean that she was under orders. She certainly was the last time Dean decided that he was on lockdown. He looked at Sasha who was looking at the door, poised and ready to go.

"I'm going to check out. Meet you downstairs," Sam said to Ruby as she started to pack up.

"Take it with you."

Sam sighed. It was better with Angela being the object of disagreement. At least she delivered come backs and usually shut each other up for a time. He motioned for Sasha to come with him and opened the door. He muttered, "Maybe I should just leave you here to wait for Angie."

Sasha gave a high pitched whine at that. Her nails clicked on the floor as she went out to the hall and sat down. She started panting as she waited for Sam when she caught a scent. She continued to look at Sam all the while not betraying that she smelled someone dear and familiar. If anyone took a closer look they would have noticed her ear twitch.

Sam didn't notice and muttered, "Come on."

Sasha followed Sam towards the elevator. She was still panting as she looked around. She looked at the corner that led to the stairs before following Sam.

A/N: Angie gets the call from Bobby and has an interesting conversation with Ares. Sam gets ready to leave with Ruby and looked like Sasha picked up something or someone. Stay tuned for the conclusion of The Calm before the Storm...