Chapter 14

"Well sticking around has been worth it." Haley smiled as she teased Dean while taking a bite of the Indian food that had been made. She made a slight sound, "Curry."

Dean poked a bit at his before trying a piece of the chicken. He liked his beef and bacon and grease. Chicken was not usually what he ate and when it came to takeout it was usually pretty simple though he did occasionally enjoy Chinese. This was a little different and he toyed with his chicken a little.

"Eat, Dean."

Dean jumped when he realized he was being spoken to and looked at the owner. He found Parvati looking at him like a mother that was worried he was getting too thin. He looked at the piece he was playing with and popped it into his mouth and he felt the slight bite of spice. He continued to chew and then swallowed.

Haley was smirking as she watched Dean chew and swallow the chicken that had been served. They had been given leave to stay the night and as many days as they wanted while Angela made up her mind. She didn't mind since she got to try a few new things and it was nice to have dinner with Dean that wasn't take out. She took another bite of the chicken and watched as Dean took another bite after glancing at Parvati.

Parvati was watching the elder Winchester with a bemused expression and the woman that sat next to him. She was amused that he was squirming like he was caught for doing something that he shouldn't. It was usually the case when most people met her. Their behaviors improved over the course of meeting her. Others weren't easily intimidated like his brother, Sam. Her beloved though was different.

Parvati knew that she was walking into trouble the day she met her beloved Shifa'. She saw the girl walking through the streets and not trying at all to interact with the people. She was walking through, looking like she was trying to reacquaint herself with the world. That certainly confirmed her suspicions when she met her up close.

Her beloved Shifa' jumped in to defend her and delivered enough of a lesson to warn off anyone else that would have jumped in. But what held her was the pain that had been laced in her eyes and that was after noticing the cut to her forearm. It was a look of disgust and fear of seeing that thin red line in the sleeve of her shirt. It was then that Parvati decided to do something.

It had been easy enough to convince her Shifa' to come to her home and the girl allowed her to patch her up. She tutted over it and noted the fading scars that spoke of torture or something more horrible. She knew that Shifa' was of the night clans and ordered for blood to be brought but she didn't expect the reaction. So much pain and suffering and yet she didn't turn her back on the world. It drew Parvati and in the end she managed to reach her Shifa' and declared her beloved.

Seeing her again and in the company of others, it was a mother's pride that filled her. It especially pleased her when she met Sam Winchester. She didn't have to ask. She knew that he was the one and that wasn't from the looks he would send to her Shifa' when she wasn't looking and when they looked at each other… She was pleased with the situation.

Parvati smiled at Dean as he started to relax in her presence and respond to the woman Haley. Those two had a special bond. It would take some time to see it but it was there. It was an interesting group of people that her Shifa' had drawn to her. It had her happy as her gaze lighted on the Ashvins sitting a little bit away and they were conversing with each other while eating their meal.

It was a surprise to see them in the company of Shifa' but given what she had learned, it was almost expected. She didn't expect less from her beloved and she reminded Shifa' that in the end it was who she was that dictated what she did. Anything to help her and the Ashvins were important. They were the healers to the gods after all but at their current state they were very impressionable and if the demons did capture them, it could alter their purpose and damage their karma.

It was logical to send them to Kailasa. Shifa' knew they would be safe there but it wasn't safe now. Her husband was doing what he could. The inner sanctum was secure but even she knew they couldn't risk it.

"Um… Lady Parvati?"

Parvati looked at Dean who looked like a timid schoolboy. She found the look endearing. "Yes, Dean?"

"Um… why do you call Angie, Shifa'?" Dean wanted to ask something else but after being watched while he was eating and feeling like he had his hand caught in the cookie jar… he wasn't going to risk the wrath of a goddess. True he had gone against fuglies that were pretty powerful but this goddess was different to him. He heard Haley chuckle and he felt his ears burn. "Well I heard Kess, call her that and uh…"

Parvati smiled and reach over and tousled Dean's hair. "You are cute. I can see why Shifa' likes to tease you. You are truly a brother."

Dean felt his checks flush. "Well uh… Angie's a sister." He cleared his throat. "Uh…"

"Relax Dean," Parvati said while giving him a reassuring pat. "Shifa' is the name she gave me when she introduced herself. It is the name given to her by her royal family." At the look Dean gave her, she smiled. "We talk and it wasn't hard to see that she was marked as one of them. But that's not what you really want to know. Do you?"

Haley decided to rescue him, "We are curious about how you met Angie. She was a little vague about it."

Parvati studied the girl. She knew she was a witch and a talented one. She hadn't seen her abilities but she had a feeling. "I can imagine she would be vague about it. It was a time that was difficult."

Dean nodded at that in understanding. He wanted to know but he also didn't want to know what happened to his girl when she was in hell. He still didn't like talking about it overmuch. He got it. "I get it."

Parvati smiled, "You have a good heart Dean Winchester. When things seem at their worst, it is what comes through. Remember that in the times to come." She paused and looked at Haley and watched as the woman returned the stare. "You'll come into your own understanding soon enough," she said to the witch.

Haley merely nodded and thanked the goddess. She actually had been impressed by meeting the mother goddess of Hindu culture. Also having roots from the African tribal areas, it was not a far leap to understanding where the goddess was coming from with the way she said things. It certainly made things amusing when she observed Dean in his interaction. "Thank you. I just hope it works out."

"Things usually do when you try not so hard to control every aspect. It becomes an illusion and it crumbles like bricks when it falls," the goddess replied in agreement. She looked over at the twins and said, "I just hope Shifa' remembers that."

"Well Angie will fight tooth and nail for something she thinks is right," Dean offered. He popped another piece of chicken in his mouth. He might as well eat and it was pretty good. "I mean with me and Sam… She's pretty scary when she's pissed and…" He almost mentioned what happened when Sam died and he didn't even want to think about what happened when she saw him become a hellhound chew toy.

"A reason why she is my beloved," the goddess replied before standing. "Her nature." She then turned to leave and said, "Please enjoy the evening and make sure those rascals leave Shifa' alone. Privacy."

It felt like an admonishment to Dean and he gave a nod and one of his more endearing smiles. When the goddess was gone, he looked over at the twins and said, "Hey you two. No monkey business."

The twins looked at him with a look that was very much like Sam's annoyed bitch face and it had Haley laughing while Dean scowled. He looked at her, "It's not funny Hale."

"It's hilarious," she replied trying to catch her breath. "You, Dean Winchester listening to the goddess and doing what she says. Like I said… hilarious."

Dean scowled some more and felt his face set on fire. "I can't help it. When she looks at me I feel like I was caught for doing something I shouldn't. And normally I wouldn't care."

"It's cute and funny."

"Great. First Angie thinks I'm cute and now you."

Haley chuckled knowing that it really wasn't too bad. She pushed aside her plate and shifted in her seat. "I happen to like cute." She smiled when Dean huffed a bit. "It's not a bad thing and really I think it could be a lot more funny with someone else."

"Yeah well Sam isn't a prime candidate. He barely flinched."

"Well maybe like me it doesn't bother him. I mean he really hasn't had a mom like you did and I was raised tribally with similar understanding," Haley offered. "Plus I think his thoughts are on something or rather someone else."

Dean made a slight face as he nodded in agreement and logically it did make sense. "Oh I know they are someone else and to be honest Hale it's like watching a chick flick."

"Well I have a few ideas on that but they are crazy anyway," Haley hummed as she looked around. She spotted the twins in deep discussion while they were petty the puppies. Xander was watching as usual, well he had been since they had arrived. "I do find it cute and refreshing. Timing… up for debate."

"Better late than never," Dean countered as he picked up a beer, grateful that he didn't feel bad for drinking alcohol in front of a goddess who smiled at him like a mother would, more specifically his mother. He frowned as he thought about things, "Hale... you think it's right that they…"

Haley knew what Dean was asking and didn't blame him for it. He was only concerned. She thought about it and then replied, "Well… maybe it's not the best of times but then again there is no perfect time. Like you said, better late than never."

Dean thought so but he had been thinking about it since the last couple of scrapes and he did see what happened when Anna killed Sam. He thought Angela would go crazy but she… He was surprised and pissed at the tears but the way she looked at Michael. He thought that she was going to kill him and not with an angel blade. It did catch him off guard the way Michael looked at her, like he really knew her but it had been so brief that he later thought he imagined it.

Maybe it was bad timing in a normal sense but nothing was ever normal with the Winchesters. He was glad because he knew she liked his brother and his brother liked her and it was funny as hell to watch Sam go alpha male on the douches they've come across. Now they faced the end of the world coming and it sounded clichéd but not with his girl since she was moving and resisting every step of the way. He had to hand it to Sam though since he was serious even with his doubts at what it was. He turned to say something to Haley when a noise caught his attention.

It wasn't anything that constituted normal in that sense of the word and even in the sense of a hunter's world. It spelled it out loud and clear in any language; there was trouble. Dean jumped to this feet looking in the direction it was coming from, his hand going to his jacket for his gun. "Hale, stay with the kids."

It wasn't an order though it could be taken that way. Normally Haley would have done the whole 'don't' tell me what to do' thing but given the severity of the situation, she wasn't going to argue. She nodded and got to her feet and moved towards the twins while watching Dean first walk and then jog towards the commotion that was going on. It didn't sound good.

The sounds didn't sound like a good thing to Dean as he jogged forward. He paused to see about four or five guys facing off what he knew were demons. And there were a lot more of them, enough to remind him of Monument and that was a whole friggin town. Taking a breath, he readied his gun and charged forward.

"Angie, you okay up there?" Sam looked up at the tree, hearing the leaves rustle and not from the next to nonexistent breeze blowing through. He adjusted his grip on the bag that he had more or less offered and been forced to carry.

"I'm fine."

Sam would have said something but the rustle was a bit louder and he heard growls and snaps and they weren't from a cute critter. "You sure?"

There was a growl and a frightened squeak. It was followed by more rustling. Sam watched as a few leaves fell down followed by a solid mass. It hit the ground, crouched for a moment and stood up holding a small bag and grinning like she won a bout. "I'm good."

Sam couldn't help but grin since hers was infectious. "So what was so important that you had to climb up the tree rather than pick what is within reach?"

Angela snorted as she reached into the small bag and pulled out what she had gathered. "Kumquats taste better picked higher up. And I like a challenge."

"Sounded like it with the noise you were making."

"Squirrel. We fought. I won."

"And I don't have trouble believing that."

They both chuckled as Angela adjusted her grip on the bag. She fished out her knife and cut the kumquat in half. She offered half to Sam as she started walking through, looking for other trees to pick from. Their talk turned into a picking up food supplies for when they left. Sam had been a bit apprehensive about taking from the trees and shrubs but Angela wasn't concerned and she reassured him that it was okay. It was enough to talk more and just be in each other's company. It lasted into the evening and they didn't have to worry about food since there was the bag that Sam was carrying. It would drive Dean crazy but he didn't care. Food was food.

"Saying I like to fight then," Angela teased.

"I know you like a good work out," Sam allowed and grinned at her. He took a bite of the kumquat and decided it was pretty good. "Especially if you get to hit something."

"Only when I'm frustrated," Angela clarified taking a bite of her half. "I find satisfaction in targeting something. Tracking it in my sights and then springing on them when they least suspect."

"You always like to sneak up on us."

"It's fun," Angela offered defiantly but with no heat to it. "And you need the practice."

Sam snorted at that. He knew that she needed time to process that he meant that he would stand by her and that he meant more than just what he said. It was why he was humoring her with a casual conversation but it was enjoyable and he knew what she was going to do and while Dean may gripe about it a little, he would back her up on it too. "I know. We embarrass you."

Angela had stopped by a tree. They were near where they had been given a place to sleep for the night. She knew that they would eat well since the goddess was always a gracious host and gave enough food for feed an army. And it was nice to stop in a place that wasn't crappy and didn't run the risk of being found by something that was after you. She looked out at the landscape and replied, "Only because you've gotten flabby after I spent time and energy teaching you a few things." She turned and gave a soft smile to Sam to let him know she was teasing.

"I'm not that bad," Sam pouted. "I did get you a couple of times."

"Pff you were lucky."

"Ow."

Angela chuckled at the mock hurt Sam was showing and leaned against the tree. It wasn't really embarrassing. To be honest it seemed that both Winchesters had improved on what she had taught them and Sam did best her in a couple of fights. And one of them was over the last seal. That had her thinking again about what to do with the Apocalypse and the implications and if that choice that neither Winchester wanted to entertain came up. She did offer after all.

"What's wrong?"

Angela looked up the moment Sam touched her. She didn't mean to jump but she had been lost in her thoughts. She relaxed instantly when she realized he was the one that touched her. "Sorry, just in thought."

Sam was not put out by the jumpiness. "It's okay. Just wondering if something's wrong. You're kind of frowning."

Angela blinked a little as she processed what he was saying. "Oh. Um… just about what to do. Mostly about what's down the road with the Apocalypse." She gave an apologetic shrug. "I can't help it. I always try to plan out three steps ahead or more…"

"You don't have to justify it to me," Sam interrupted as he ran the back of his finger against her cheek. He was well aware that it looked creepy that he was staring at her but focused on administering attention. But he wanted to and she hadn't given him any signals that it was unwanted. Besides he just wanted to soothe the agitation he caused. "It's what you do and you go crazy if you don't have a backup plan in the works."

"I don't go crazy," Angela pouted while basking in Sam's touch. It was feathery light like he was afraid to really touch her and scare her away. It was firm though and it felt good and took off the heat that a normal pout would have.

"Yes you do. Just smart enough not to say anything." Sam made his way to the couple of loose locks that he had been tempted to fix the moment he saw them after she jumped out of the tree. Hooking the lock with his finger, he moved it and straightened it behind the braid that held it back. He liked that she had kept it long and down. "By the way… not going to happen."

"What?"

"Lucifer."

"Who made you boss?"

"Angie."

It had been a soft but firm warning or whatever. It forced the pair to stare at each other in a silent battle of wills and threatened to be a repeat of earlier. Angela spoke first, "It is an option."

"And one that is not happening."

It was a fruitless argument to get into since no one could name another option for the moment. Angela continued stare at Sam and he stared back. To outsiders it looked increasingly uncomfortable, like spontaneous combustion would occur. In reality it was silent admission of tabling the issue for now since the whole thing of possession was not acceptable. Sam stared at her and said, "Not happening."

"Fine," Angela agreed for the time being. "But I am not budging on keeping the twins with us."

"Not arguing with that."

"Good."

What happened next would have had Dean grin and make his usual lewd comments. And that would have been if he happened to witness the entire thing. As it were he wasn't there and Sam gave into the impulse and pressed his lips against hers in a hard kiss, drawing it out. Angela, for her part, welcomed it and let him press her against the tree as he kept kissing her.

Up until this point it had been nothing but kissing. Some were a little more intense than others, some short and sweet and the ones Dean often was a witness for were those cutesy romantic chick flick ones. It never went further than that and mostly because Sam felt guilty still about what happened in that boarding house in Colorado. He didn't press since he had the firm resolve to let her tell him in however she was going to. It was fast fading though especially now that he was close enough to get a good whiff and he smelled roses; not any roses but different.

Breaking the kiss, he leaned forward to where he had kissed her collarbone and took a whiff, his lips hovering over the skin. "You smell nice."

Angela felt Sam's breath on her neck and leaned her head against his. She managed to turn her head slightly and took in the scent she knew so well and drove the instinct to stalk him and not in a hunting kind of way. She breathed on his neck, "You smell pretty good yourself."

All that Angela heard was a low hum from Sam and she felt his breath on her skin before his lips made contact. She felt her skin flush with heat and she hummed in response but it came out more like a purr growl. She then felt Sam press a little harder and start to suckle on the skin.

It was a noise that broke the moment and Sam stood back while Angela stiffened as she listened to the shouts and crashes. Sam watched her, knowing that she wasn't scared of him; he'd rather be damned to hell that do anything to make her feel that way with him. He heard the noises too but was quiet since it was obvious that she was listening to everything.

"Fuck," she whispered before turning towards the sound and ran towards it.

Sam didn't bother to ask but left the dropped bag where it was and followed her. Trouble was brewing and it was obvious that she was worried. It had him worried too since more or less this place had enough security to make Lucifer think twice. Something was up and the only thing he had was his gun tucked in his jacket, which he pulled out and held ready.

Angela was running while holding the bag of kumquats. She smelled them before she saw them; the demons were there and she knew what they were after. How they got past the defenses was a good question but at the moment her priority were the twins and the mother goddess. She surveyed the scene and spotted a demon that was running towards Kartikeya. He was a god of war and victory but he could bleed especially since it was one of the outflows of a pisacha.

It was automatic for her to twirl the bag of kumquats and hurl it at the demon. It hit it dead on and caused the demon to look at her. She stood there with a narrowed and yet anticipating look as it charged at her. She charged at it and gave her war cry. She grabbed the demon and flung it aside and extended her hand to levitate and fling the demon aside.

"Nice to see you back, Shifa'," Kartikeya said as he backed up to cover.

"Likewise," she replied as she looked at the demons that were coming towards them. In the center line was the pisacha along with Lenya. She grinned as she saw the bitch and said, "Pisacha and the bitch with him."

"Take em together?"

"You get the pisacha. He's after the twins," Angela explained as she flexed her fingers. True she had her weapons with her but she really wanted to use her hands. "I got the bitch."

Kartikeya took a look and nodded. At that moment they were joined by the others of the guard and the Winchesters. He barked his orders and prepared to fight. "You sure?"

"Did you really think that those defenses would keep us out?"

"Slowed you down," Angela replied to Lenya's taunt. She then turned to Kartikeya and whispered, "I'm sure." She turned back to the demons and called out, "You have violated the sanctity of the mother goddess."

"Just give me what I want," Lenya replied bored, "And I'll let you live."

There was no way that would happen and the Winchesters voiced it with the others. Angela took the lead and stepped forward. "And that's not going to happen."

Lenya grinned, "Then this will be fun." She gave a signal and the fight was on.

A/N: And the fight is on and we know that Angie won't give up the twins. Stay tuned for the next episode Vision of the Horse Lords. Same time and same great fanfic site...