Chapter 21

The only thing Dean could say after all that as the three of them stood over the body of the dead demon was, "Well, check that off the to do list."

Sam gave a slight smile, "You did it."

"I didn't do it alone."

"Do you think Dad really…? You think he really climbed out of hell?" Sam had to ask. It was till unbelievable that at the right moment their dad came.

Dean looked at the gate, "A door was open. What do you think Angie?"

Angela had said nothing for a time. She looked up from the body of the demon and looked at the boys and said, "I once told you Sam that a father would do anything to protect their greatest treasure. I know he did."

Dean moved to stand by his brother, "Well, if anyone's stubborn enough to do it… it would be him."

"I would drink to that," Angela replied. She knew how stubborn John was especially when she had worked with him. She would have a drink in his honor later. The occasion also warranted a drink for Mary. Her killer was finally serving his just rewards.

Sam accepted that. He found it a little humorous that Angela would mention having a drink since she was not an avid whiskey drinker but he suspected that she had her reasons. He looked over at Dean and asked, "Where do you think he is now?"

Dean replied, "I don't know." Who really did know?

Angela decided to speak. She really didn't know completely but she knew that the look on John's face said much. "At peace." She looked at the boys and gave a slight smile. She took a deep breath and ran a hand through her locks. It really was a moment of disbelief. Now that it was over… well this battle… she had no idea what was going to happen next. Yet she was going to keep going. She may get tired of it like she admitted to Bobby but she would keep going. Tomorrow was another day after all and probably chock full of the next job.

It was a moment of disbelief for both brothers. Sam looked over at Angela who was looking on with a calm acceptance. He thought that at least she would be relieved that this was all over. He said, "I kind of can't believe it, Dean. I mean… Our whole lives, everything, has been prepping for this. And now… I kind of don't know what to say."

Both brothers looked at each other. Dean gave a slight nod and replied, "I do." He kneeled down and said to the body, "That was for our mom. You son of a bitch."

Angela knew the moment of truth was coming when Sam said, "You know, when Jake saw me it was like he saw a ghost. I mean, hell, you heard him, Dean. He said he killed me." She inwardly cringed as she leaned against the car and studied her arm. She had discarded the sling since it was feeling much better on that count. The bite wound though was going to take a little longer.

Dean of course was still sticking to his story. She had seen the look on his face as he closed the door and leaned against the Impala. She said nothing though. This was his bus and she was along for the ride. She listened as he replied, "Glad he was wrong."

"I don't think he was Dean." Sam knew that Dean was lying. Now that the tension was over, he could see clearly through the events that happened and the guilty movements his brother made. He was trying to hold his temper in as he glanced at Angela. He knew that she knew the truth too. He didn't see it before but the times when he asked questions about what happened in Cold Oak and she didn't look at him… it made sense. He could see though that she was not going to say anything about it and he took it to mean that he was to ask Dean about it. He looked at his brother and asked, "What happened? After I was stabbed?"

Dean gave his slight smile. Sam was being persistent again. "I already told you."

"Not everything."

Dean had to get Sam's mind off of this. He knew that Angela was giving him the look. She wanted him to tell the truth. Hell she had wanted that from the very beginning but she went along with it because she knew how Sam would react. Now she knew the jig was up but he didn't want that to be so just yet. He glanced at her before turning to his brother and said, "Sam, we just killed the demon. Can we celebrate for a minute?"

Sam didn't want to ask the question but he knew that if he did, Dean's reaction would tell him what he needed to know. That desperate attempt Dean gave to try and steer him away from this topic was the motivation to ask, "Did I die?"

"Come on," Dean replied trying to make it seem like it was ridiculous.

"Did you sell your soul for me? Like Dad did for you?"

"Come on. No." Dean spat it out. He was not having this conversation. Please Sammy. Give it up.

Sam recognized the signs of Dean lying to him and it was out of some need to protect him. He moved to stand in front of his brother. "Tell me the truth." When Dean refused, he repeated, "Dean, tell me the truth."

"Sam." Dean shook his head. Sam had to keep poking. He looked at Angela who was motioning with her eyes to at least say it. Yet she understood why he couldn't.

Sam looked at Angela. He knew now that she knew and the way she was looking at Dean, she was trying to get him to tell the truth. It hurt because he knew that his brother sold his soul and it hurt that she couldn't tell him that she knew. "How long do you get?"

Dean knew that there was no going back now. Sam knew and there was no point in lying but he could keep Angela's part in this out of the limelight. For some reason he didn't know, he didn't want Sam to think badly of her when he always had faith in her character. He finally looked at Sam and replied, "One year. I got one year."

"You shouldn't have done that," Sam replied after looking in all directions trying to school his emotions. He was going to lose Dean. "How could you do that?"

"Don't get mad at him Sam," Angela finally spoke. "He had to and yes I knew he made the deal and… I understand his logic."

Dean realized that she had given him a block to stand on but she was treading close to giving Sam the noose to string her up with. She was standing by him like she said she would. Well he would keep her part in this a secret. He owed her that. He felt the tears start to well up as he said, "I had to look out for you. That's my job."

"And what do you think my job is?"

The question confused Dean. "What?"

Sam had to explain the thoughts he had harbored over the years. "You saved my life over and over. I mean, you sacrifice everything for me. Don't you think I'd do the same for you? You're my big brother. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you. And I don't care what it takes. I'm gonna get you out of this. Guess I gotta save your ass for a change and maybe Angie does too."

"I do plenty already," Angela replied finally relieved that the truth was out but she was perplexed that Dean didn't mention her part. He had his reasons and she wouldn't touch that unless it came up. She would have to make that clear with Dean in private. At least they weren't living a lie. "I guess I have some research coming my way."

Dean smiled at his baby brother and Angela. With the two of them around, they would find a way. He agreed, "Yeah."

In the meantime Ellen and Bobby caught up with them along with Cerebus. Ellen looked at the three of them and said, "Well the yellow eyed demon might be dead but a lot more got through that gate."

Angela glanced at Dean. It was back to business. Dean asked, "How many you think?"

"A hundred, maybe two. It's an army," Angela replied softly. One game was done but the next one already had the first move down and white always moved first. "More of the same," she muttered softly.

It was a quiet moment as everyone looked at each other. The idea that there was a demon army out there waiting to do God knows what was a daunting thought. It was Bobby who said, "Hope to hell you three are ready. Because the war's just begun."

Angela looked at both boys. Hell she was game. She was always game since there was always one more battle to fight. She didn't have to look at Cerebus to know that the hell mutt would stand by them even though it was going to take some getting used to from everyone. She gave a slight nod in the direction of Dean and he gave his signature grin, "Well then we got work to do."

"What are you doing out here? It's freezing out here."

Angela didn't move as she continued to look up at the night sky. They had made it back to Bobby's in record time and that was after she snaked the keys from Dean since he did have a minor concussion. He didn't protest though and let her drive the car with Sam sitting next to her and Dean in the back seat.

Once they had gotten to Bobby's she went about her usual business and took care of injuries and made sure they were dressed. She hid the whiskey though stating that she didn't need more problems from Dean's drinking habits. Of course Dean scowled at her for that but followed her lead since she was the sorcerer and he was the sorcerer's apprentice.

Now she was sitting outside in her area of the junkyard staring up at the night sky. The temperature had dropped but that was inconsequential. It was quiet and she could muddle through thoughts or just empty her head of them. However Dean managed to find her and was now asking her what she was doing, as if that weren't obvious. She replied, "Thinking and nothing. Maybe I'll play a game of chess."

Dean made a slight face as he walked towards Angela. She was sitting on some beam that looked like the kind that gymnasts used with one knee drawn up and the other dangling. She was looking up at the stars like she always did when she went out just to sit. It was also the time when Sam would come around and pester her. Well he found her first so maybe they could talk a little before Samantha showed up. "Can I join you?"

"Be my guest Dean." Angela looked down and gave Dean a welcoming smile. As he climbed up to sit, she said, "I take it you want to talk to me about something."

"Am I that obvious?"

"Honestly? Obvious like the white elephant in the room," Angela replied with a smile. "This is about everything that happened right?"

"Hitting the nail on the head like always," Dean replied as he made himself comfortable. He looked down at his hands for a moment before looking up at the sky. How was he going to say this? They both knew what happened so was there really a reason to go back there? Dean made a slight movement with his mouth until he finally said, "Angie, do you think I did the right thing?"

Angela looked at Dean, her head resting on her knee. "You really think you should be asking me this?" It was an honest question since she was sure that maybe he did do the right thing but in the wrong way. However was it right anyway to bring back the dead? After all she knew better than most that for things like that, there was a price to pay.

Dean shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe. You know more about us than you care to admit at times and in normal situations that could be considered stalking or something but… I don't know. I was hoping to keep up the story and then Sam wouldn't have to worry about what I did."

"As he said, he would do anything for you."

"Tell me about it. And it would be something stupid like what I did."

Angela felt her lips twitch in a slight smile. Dean got that point right. The Winchesters were an odd lot and she figured she was something like that too. She would have been willing to do what it took to bring back a few people that shouldn't have died. She replied, "I guess there is plenty of stupidity to go around. Dean… why didn't you say anything about my involvement? I could tell you that Sam figured out that I knew what you did and frankly I'm surprised he didn't come after me like Bobby did."

Dean suspected that Angela knew the reason but she just wanted to hear it from him. Or maybe she didn't know and she wanted to know. How could he tell her that even with the crap that happened between them, he saw what a good person she was. She made him feel that he wasn't a pathetic and self-loathing piece of meat when she showed and taught him things and how to better his own skill set. She was good for Sam too since she seemed to put up with the things that had annoyed him and Dad. How could he sum it up in his typical Dean fashion? He replied, "Because I don't want him to lose faith in you Angie. And I have faith in you."

That was deep even for Dean and Angela knew it. She also suspected that he wasn't comfortable in sharing feelings and that was fine. Actions did speak louder than words. He did patch her up when Bobby brought her in and scolded her when she cut herself. "That's deep even for you Dean but worth its weight in gold." She rubbed her hand where the scar was and continued, "To be honest, I am rather glad you said that."

Dean gave a slight smile as he put a hand to his head. The cut was still sore and he did have a lump the size of an egg. It was a complete surprise when Angela reached over with one hand and touched the cut. He watched a soft glow emanate from her hand and when it was over, the lump had receded and the cut was healed. He tenderly touched where it was and looked at her. He now understood what she had been trying to do in order to save Sam. "Did you...?"

Angela nodded. No more secrets about her abilities. They already saw her telekinetic and telepathic. "I can heal. Why it didn't work with Sam, I can't say but I am surprised that it came back after the Gate. Stories I heard tell that such an ability is wielded by healers… not killers."

"So… about Jake…"

Angela looked up at the sky. "A pawn in a larger game Dean. I warned him that I would retaliate if he attempted to harm people I cared about. No one messes with Ellen like that and by extension, you, Sam and Bobby. Killing is easy Dean and you should know that but the real consequences come when it comes to humans… at least for me. Mainly it's because I know how fragile life is and yet if someone makes that choice to join the other side, then…" She shrugged a shoulder.

Dean knew she had killed humans before. Hell that Cal guy and his crew were humans. Then though when she was finished, she seemed a little troubled and now she seemed… Dean wasn't sure but it was different. "I suppose then it's a good thing that we are jumping into the fight before that happens."

"Anticipation usually makes for the best player."

Dean looked at Angela and asked, "What is it with the chess metaphors?"

If Angela had any thoughts about why Dean would ask about that, they didn't show. She looked at Dean and replied, "Chess is war… you know the object of the game. It's about strategy and pitting your mind against your opponents. In a way it is like poker where you not only play the cards but the other guy."

Dean could relate to that. He had no idea how she knew that about poker since she always seemed to prefer the pansy stuff like word puzzles like Sam did. "So that's why you were playing while dropping hints for us to answer questions about the Devil's Gate. Though why play against yourself?"

"You'd be surprised what your own mind comes up with," Angela replied. "Several times I actually found solutions that could have won battles in history. Of course who listens to a female who prefers to wear pants instead of a dress?" She gave a chuckle as she sobered. "It's how I play against my opponents. I learned the hard way that if I don't anticipate or at least try to anticipate what's going to happen, then the dominoes can literally start to fall and all hell breaks loose. Believe me because that was what happened when I died once. Of course I'm alive now and out of sheer love by my father for me. I know how you feel Dean. You feel you shouldn't even be alive but let me tell you something. John gave his life for you. He gave you a second chance. Most people kill to get a second chance to change their lives. I don't know if I took advantage of it when mine was given back to me but at least I can make a difference now by helping you out."

Dean was still trying to process the fact that she admitted that she had died and had been brought back to life. Did she know what Yellow Eyes meant by that question he asked about Sam? Was that what he meant in referring to her? Yet she said that her dad gave his life to bring her back. They weren't so different after all.

"Dean? Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Dean looked at Angela as she was peering at him. She said that he had been given a second chance. Did he waste it by giving up his life for Sam's? She didn't say that. She was saying that the times he had cheated death, he had been given a second chance. He had to make the most of it. Hell he figured she was doing that since she shared that she had died and came back. "I think so Angie. The thing is if I try to get out of it, Sam dies."

"Not if I can help it," Angela replied. "I have a few options that I intend to look into. I'm not making promises though."

"No one ever asked you to," Dean replied. He didn't mean for it to sound like a petulant child but that was just his way of speaking. It was true though. No one ever asked her to make a promise in any of the things she did. She did them because she wanted to except for the one she made to Dad. Dean finally got around to reading the entry that Sam wanted him to read before all this started and he found out that Dad did manipulate the situation to get her cooperation knowing that he was playing on her kind nature.

"No but I do because maybe it brings me closer to humanity. Let's face it. I'm human in most things except for the fact I get eye teeth like Cujo, I heal quickly and I can live virtually forever barring accidents and deadly viruses."

"Not to mention some pretty cool powers. I do have to admit the way you resisted Yellow Eyes and stayed upright, that was impressive," Dean replied with a smirk. "And you tried to save Ellen. I saw the gun move away from her head. I mean I know you can get us out of a jam with traffic cops but what you did… You know I didn't believe Sam at first when he said that you could do that. I'll admit that it sounds scary but if you didn't have it I don't think things would have gone the way they did."

Angela looked at Dean and he grinned at her. She smiled back. She had always been afraid of those powers and that she would succumb to the feeling that she was superior. Yet when she did it, she was able to resist. "Maybe you're right Dean. I guess that adds a new dimension to things."

"Just remember though, if I find myself dancing butt naked in the street and singing some bitch emo song, I'm blaming you."

"That actually has potential," Angela replied with a slight grin. Dean was okay with her use of her powers. By extension Sam was too and for that matter Bobby. Ellen didn't seem to care since she thanked Angela by holding her in a hug for a full five minutes and thanking her for trying. "Maybe I'll have Cerebus tease you by stealing your pants and boxers."

"Don't bring the hell mutt into this," Dean warned in the friendliest manner. "I made an exception on the way back to let him ride in my baby. After that, he walks wherever he goes."

Angela laughed a genuine laugh. It was infectious as Dean started to laugh as well. They were interrupted by a familiar voice saying, "Did I miss the joke? What's so funny?"

Dean looked to see Sam standing there looking at the pair of them. Angela was laughing but reduced it to a rumbling within her chest. She said, "Nothing. We're just enjoying a night out in the moonlight."

Sam frowned slightly but was amused by the comment. It seemed that she was back to her old self in many ways. That produced a pleasant feeling. He replied, "Should I leave you two alone?"

"You better not. Dean may get some funny ideas about using my Jedi Mind tricks. You know how he digs being a little kinky," Angela replied with a saucy grin at Dean. She wanted to laugh at the look on his face.

Sam felt the smile threaten at the look on his brother's face. She effectively got him with a joke that was about as heavy handed as one he would lay on. She jumped down from her seat and walked towards Sam and said, "Or I'll leave and try to come up with a way to hand you your unsuspecting asses using said mind tricks. We've got work to do you know. I might even consider the running butt naked scenario. I might get a few laughs out of that one." She started walking back towards the house leaving the two brothers watching her.

Sam looked at Dean and asked, "Dude, what did you say to suggest that?"

"Nothing."

"Guys, I was kidding about the butt naked thing," Angela gave a shout. She hadn't moved that much at all. "But I was serious about handing you your asses."

"Fine. You win Angie," Dean replied as he jumped down. He was followed by Sam as they walked to meet up with her. When they were close enough, he said, "But no Cujo."

"Deal," Angela replied. "Besides I can't have the best knights on the board look bad in front of the side castle."

"Will you quit with the chess references?" Dean replied with a smirk on his face to show that he didn't mean it.

"Will you give up pie?" Angela retorted. She knew that Dean wouldn't and added, "Didn't think so."

The three walked into the house arguing over the fact that Dean had been had again by Angela. While Sam and Dean were arguing over something she had said, Angela took a backwards glance out at the stars. The war had just begun so the moments like these were going to be few and far between. Not to mention the whole deal issue and if they learned her stipulation on the deal, that would be a debacle. She would deal with it as it came along.

A/N: And here we come to the conclusion of Season One of Chronicles of Absolution. What happens next? Stay tuned for Season Two beginning with Chronicles of Absolution: Flight of the Song...

A special thanks to SPNMum and angeleyenc for their encouraging reviews. Also to everyone who put me as a favorite or on alert, I also thank you. It is an encouragement to keep going. See y'all next season of Chronicles of Absolution.