Chapter 20

The Long Nights Begin

"When I said call me if you need me, I did not mean that you could dump another freeloader on me," Queenie hissed, glancing over at Reynard, who was doing his best impression of oblivious innocence from where he was standing several feet away.

"Hey, it's not my fault Merlin decided to shack up with you guys after Arthur died," Gabriel snapped back. "Look, Reynard just needs a place to lay low for a while."

"That half-breed wizard said the same thing, and he's been in that blasted tower of his in the Glades for over a thousand years! And Ron won't kick him out because Merl always kisses up to Annie with all of his stupid flowers."

Gabriel blinked, a certain memory involving all of the fae royalty that should never be spoken about aloud replaying in his mind. "I thought you love his flowers."

A fierce blush bloomed over Queenie's cheeks, spreading up to the tips of her pointed ears. "That was ages ago!" she exclaimed, wings fluttering in a wild mix of defensive embarrassment at being called out and affronted shock from him even bringing it up. "Besides, you're the one who introduced his parents to each other."

"How is that a bad thing?" he replied with the beginnings of a smug grin. "How's he doing anyway?"

"He's as fine as anyone can be stuck in a tower with extremely powerful clairvoyance as his only connection to the outside world, and don't change the subject—" She let out an irritated huff, glancing over at Reynard before waving her hand and muttering a silencing spell to keep the trickster fox from listening in on their conversation any further. "I take it neither you nor the Winchesters ever found the fairy killer."

Gabriel hated that he had to shake his head – silently telling her that no, they hadn't. It was frustrating to admit, but if Reynard's case was anything to go by, then Gabriel had a theory that might explain things, though it would need some investigating to have any real merit. At the very least, he and the Winchesters had helped spread the word to keep an eye out for any other odd occurrences like the fairy slaughter.

"What about the creature Reynard suggested we go see? Do you know anything about it?" he asked, knowing he wouldn't get much.

The fairy queen frowned thoughtfully. "He said this creature had been asleep for a long time? It could be any of the ancient ones, but if it has a horde… You could be looking for one of the draconic subspecies, and a big one at that if it's in a mountain," she mused.

"Great, a dragon," Gabriel muttered, sending a glare Reynard's way. Not that the other trickster saw it. Reynard was too busy pouting at being kicked out of the conversation.

Queenie gave him a hard look. "No, not just a dragon… I understand that you're an archangel and all, but if you have to fight it and it really is a larger beast, that pointy blade of yours may pierce its hide but it'll be too short to reach its heart."

"I'll keep that in mind," Gabriel assured her. "Right, I have to organize the outing with the rest of the fam. Will you take Reynard with you?"

She let out an exasperated sigh. "You're not exactly giving me a choice here, Gabriel. And I'm inclined to take him anyway…" She trailed off, pausing before shaking her head. "He was driven out of Europe, and England was one of the first areas we were forced out of. America is becoming a beacon of freedom for creatures just as much as it is for humans."

A soft hum left him at the statement. She wasn't wrong. Something was going on that he'd been ignoring for a while now. If he didn't wrap things up with Michael's grace soon, he may have to give it up in favor of sorting out whatever this was first.

"Thanks for the pick-me-up from last time," he said in lieu of a goodbye.

She gave him a small smile, one that was deceivingly innocent. "Don't worry about it. Consider us even now. Goodness knows, Harlequin and I owe you this much—" Her expression fell into something far more concerned than he'd ever seen on her face before. "Look, what happened with your brother… that sent out ripples, Gabriel. Be careful, okay?"

"I will. Safe travels."

"Ver tsadi."

~o-O-o~

Mick had dreams. Not in the ideological sense, but during the times he was able to get some sleep without being woken a couple hours later by nightmares and memories, Mick dreamed. He could never remember his dreams, but he always woke feeling more alone than ever.

That in itself confused him whenever he tried to remember his dreams. As a child and later as he grew up to be a Man of Letters, he'd never been a particularly companionable person (and in no way was that because anyone who tried to get close to him felt wrong). Besides, in his line of work, it was best to just keep your distance.

It was what they were taught in Kendricks Academy: there's no place for emotions when it comes to the Code, and the Code takes precedent above all else.

And yet, no matter how hard the Academy sought to make them perfect little soldiers (why did that sound familiar?), it was practically impossible to ask for no emotions. So, instead the Academy focused on controlling those emotions, bending them into the fold to the point that there was only room left for the Men of Letters' Code.

Which was perhaps part of the reason why Mick found it so funny – ironic? – that it was Arthur Ketch asking if Mick was alright. To be fair, Ketch had been subtly asking-not-asking the question for months – ever since they had gotten this assignment (yet again). It just happened to be now that the man bothered to ask out right.

Now, when Mick thought he might be falling over the edge of some precipice he couldn't even see.

And really, the answer was quite obvious. Mick didn't even need to say anything for Ketch to know that no, he was not alright. They weren't getting anywhere in America, not really, and if they came back empty handed… Well, there wasn't really a point to returning at all.

For some reason, that didn't make Mick feel as desperate as it should have.

"You know, if you really wanted me to go away so you can go on a daring little adventure, you could have just asked," Ketch told him in an almost teasing manner, grey eyes tracking his every movement.

"I—" Mick started before he stopped at Ketch's predatory grin.

"Come now, Mick," Ketch practically purred. "You should know better than to think I'd just let you waltz off to Washington State."

Mick frowned. He hadn't— "How did–?"

"Ah, ah," Ketch hushed him, getting up to move into Mick's personal space and causing Mick to fight with himself to not take a step back. "I can't have you going suicidal on me and running pants down to fight a dragon, now can I?"

Mick, still at a loss as to how Ketch knew, could only blink as he watched Ketch leave to go get his gear.

~o-O-o~

Kemuel had a problem – an archangel sized problem. After almost a month of avoiding the issue, she found herself back on Earth. While she was inclined to stick it to Raphael and not report back to Gabriel about the other archangel's presence in Heaven, Kemuel knew she would have to tell Gabriel and sooner rather than later. She still hated being called a pet.

Easily finding the meeting place Gabriel had decided upon during their last encounter, Kemuel settled down for a wait. Even though she had sent out the signal they had, it could be a little while before Gabriel would be able to respond. This would also be the first time she called to Gabriel and not the other way around. At least, it was the first time she was confident that he was answer.

By the first hour, she had grown impatient, and by the time the moon had begun to rise, she was getting worried. She was getting tempted to use the signal again when she sensed that she was no longer alone.

"Well then, I suppose you're yet another reason I've been stuck here for the past couple months," the demon grumbled. "Not that I can say much."

Kemuel was caught between being truly offended at the demon's words or merely affronted. Then again, Kemuel figured that Raphael alone stung more than anything the former King of Hell could come up with. That didn't mean Crowley had lost his reputation. He may have screwed up with his revenge plot on Lucifer by going against Gabriel, but he was still a force to be reckoned with.

"Where's Gabriel? I was to meet him here," she said neutrally. It wouldn't do to lose it over the demon's attitude.

The demon shrugged. "I've been on babysitting duties. Though if I had to guess, I'd say with the Winchesters. If you're desperate, you could sit outside their hidey-hole in Lebanon, Kansas."

Kemuel felt her eyebrow twitch. "I can't go to the Bunker. Not while Lucifer's there," she informed him.

"That's your problem, darling," he replied, gracing her with a little smirk.

Fine. "You're in contact with him, aren't you? It would be in your contract."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "And how would you know that?"

Because Gabriel had told her. How else? Alas, Kemuel was feeling particularly petty. "I'd mind my own business if I were you. I hear Rowena is still adjusting to her new status, but you got the real short end of the stick. You're not exactly in anyone's good graces at the moment."

"Maybe not, but I'm still around, aren't I?"

"You have your uses," Kemuel admitted with a scoff. "But you're standing on a stool with a noose around your neck."

"Ah, yes, and Gabriel can easily kick that stool out from under me. I'm well aware," Crowley responded, a subtle tick in his face barely hiding his irritation with her.

Kemuel didn't doubt that Crowley knew he was toeing a thin line when it came to his continued existence, but she also didn't think he had the right context to how much Gabriel had been holding back when he forced the contract between them. In her opinion, Crowley had less to worry about than Gabriel did if the demon didn't hold up his end. (Though, knowing Crowley, that wouldn't be an issue.)

Crowley suddenly stiffened and looked vaguely eastward. "If you'll just excuse me a moment, there's a brat that's out past her bedtime," he muttered.

With that, he blinked away, off to wherever he'd deemed to be needed. But Kemuel wasn't about to wait until he had more free time. She followed him, keeping close behind and landing a second after he'd left. She was met with the sight of the former King of Hell blocking a nine-year-old girl from leaving a house.

"And where do you think you're going, hmm?" he asked her.

The girl seemed like she was about to respond when she finally took notice of Kemuel, which meant Crowley had to acknowledge her once more. Solid red eyes glared in her direction, and the girl tried (and failed) to hold back a flinch at the demonic display.

"Fly away, birdie," he bit out, his tense frame highlighting the clinching of his fists at his sides.

Kemuel briefly considered subtly insulting the demon in retaliation. Then it occurred to her that she might be overstepping a line laid out in his contract with Gabriel. Not that she knew what it might be exactly. Sure, she knew the general outline of Gabriel's deal with Crowley, but that didn't mean she knew every single line – not like Crowley or Gabriel would.

That didn't mean the angel couldn't take a guess. She let her grace and wings go passive and had her vessel take a somewhat submissive stance, hoping to placate the demon and get away from being perceived as a potential threat. Kemuel could admit to being a bit headstrong at times, but she wasn't stupid enough to trigger whatever was in the contract on purpose. That being said, she still needed to talk to Gabriel.

"Mr. Crowley?" the girl asked quietly, softly calling to her demonic guardian.

The soft words snapped him out of it, and he turned to look at her, eyes reverting back to something more human. "Go back inside, doll. Do whatever it is in the morning."

~o-O-o~

"We can't wait for Mom to get back," Dean spoke up as soon as Gabriel sat down at the library table the rest had gathered around. "We need to go, now."

Out of the corner of his eye, Sam saw Lucifer raise an eyebrow. "Didn't think you'd want to rush into this so quickly," the fallen archangel muttered.

"It's pretty clear to me that this can't wait," Dean retorted with a huff.

Sam held back a weary sigh. His brother had a point. They couldn't ignore this, and they couldn't put it off either. Sam didn't quite agree that they had to leave right now. He'd rather wait until Mary could go with them, but she hadn't mentioned when she'd be back. There was no telling how long it might be until they saw her again – from at least several hours to a couple days.

"You can go with Gabriel and Lucifer while Cas and I follow behind with Mom," Sam suggested. That way they could keep hold of their lead without losing track of anyone. It would also mean they'd have to take separate cars in the end, but Sam would prefer the leg room for the inevitable long drive back to the Bunker.

There was also the small matter of Sam needing to call Eileen to cancel their weekend plans… again. He didn't want to make Dean feel guilty about dragging Sam away for the third time in a row. Eileen would understand – she always did. Heck, she might even try to convince Sam to let her join them on the case.

Except it wasn't a case. Not exactly. To even call it a special case would be a major understatement but not entirely inaccurate.

Maybe he could find a simple case somewhere relatively nice after this. He could tell Dean he was going on a hunt with Eileen (ignoring the teasing Dean would give him) and stay a couple more days in whatever town it happened to be. It wouldn't be too hard to find some nice locations for a date as long as they ended up somewhere—

"Small problem," Gabriel said suddenly. "Okay, not a problem per se, but a minor detour on my end."

"Lemme guess. You've got to go check on something, and once you're done you'll meet back up with us?" Dean cut in before Gabriel could announce whatever he had planned.

Gabriel paused. "Yes, actually."

Sam saw Lucifer narrow his eyes, and it took Sam a moment, but eventually he noticed why Lucifer's focus suddenly zeroed in on Gabriel. There was an awkwardness in the pause that was pure Gabriel Bennett and a hesitance that was rare from the archangel. The synchrony wasn't a bad thing in and of itself, but in this context – the awkward hesitance to reveal something obviously important – it wasn't necessarily a good thing either.

Gabriel had everyone's attention as he minutely fidgeted in his seat. Sam knew he would come out with it on his own time, but Gabriel wouldn't say anything he didn't want to – not only because he was an archangel (and no one makes them do anything), but also because Gabriel had far more secrets than the rest of them combined. There were ways that Gabriel could lie and tiptoe around an issue, but there were also some things that the archangel couldn't say. And then there were the things that Gabriel needed to say but continually avoided.

Sam already had three guesses about what this was about (and the first two didn't count).

"So, I kind of need to go check up on Lucilia because I didn't actually kill Crowley," Gabriel blurted out, the words coming out so fast that it took all of Sam's brain's processing power to make sense of it before he missed the next bit. "And he's currently where she is because I more or less forced a deal on him—"

"We know," Sam, Dean, Castiel and Lucifer interrupted in unison.

"—I mean, it's not horrible, at least not for me, but— Wait," Gabriel stopped dead in his ramble that was far more Gabriel Bennett than archangel. He blinked, gaze moving to each of them before landing on Lucifer. "You already knew?"

Lucifer gave Gabriel what Sam was pretty sure was a fond look. "To be fair, Mary was the one who figured it out."

"But— That… How?"

"I don't think you realize how much you and Lucifer confide in her, and Mom's not stupid. She was able to put two and two together," Sam pointed out.

Gabriel turned to stare at him with wide eyes. "When?"

Sam looked at Castiel, who sighed and said, "Mary told me the night you left on the fairy murders case."

"And then they told me the night before you all got back," Lucifer added.

"Mom told me and Sam while you two were having some alone time together," Dean said, wrapping that up. "So, yeah, we know."

"Oh…" Gabriel looked down and murmured something Sam couldn't quite hear. Castiel must have if the concerned look he gave Gabriel meant anything, but the angel didn't bring it up. "And you know what's in the deal?"

Sam ground his heel into Dean's foot to keep his brother from saying anything. Dean shot him a glare, but Sam was already moving on. "That's between you and Lucifer and Crowley. If you want to tell us, that's up to you, but we get that the deal you made has some sensitive stuff in it."

A heavy weight that Sam hadn't truly noticed before seemed to lift off of Gabriel shoulders. The archangel sighed, and then after a pause he let out a low chuckle. Leaning back and looking up at the ceiling, Gabriel crossed his arms over his eyes – his chuckle turning into laughter, causing his shoulders to shake with the noise.

Gabriel didn't move from the pose even as he slowly regathered himself. Eyes still covered but a slight smile visible, Gabriel simply breathed, a quiet softly settling in the room. "Right," he whispered. "Right… Of course."

Sam had the feeling that everything was going to be all right.

A/N: Kinda short, but lots of things are going on. (All aboard the Plot Train!)