Azrael sits back in her chair and nudges Dean over as she props up her feet on the ottoman. She closes her eyes under Dean's intense gaze. He is drawn to Azrael like no other, it fascinates him. He cannot control it. He must be near her. She eases the burden. The only peace comes when he is near her.
It is obvious to him that Azrael is troubled. He can see the gears turning in her mind even in with her eyes closed. Azrael can hear him enter the room. She knows he is there. Her eyes pop open catching Dean off guard. Dean does not know he has joined them. She leans forward into him. Dean is unsure what to expect but her scent intoxicates him. She leans in towards his ear. Warmth radiates off of her skin enveloping him in comfort. She whispers in his ear. "Sorry, Darling." Before the words even register in his mind, she touches him on the forehead. Dean falls backward. Azrael grabs his shirt and shifts him so he is lying cross her chair asleep.
As she turns, she sees her brother as he looks down upon her charge. "You know the mark." She looks up Gabriel. "I know."
"Come on." Gabriel opens a door that reveals an alley way. Azrael takes a quick look at Dean before following him. The books on the table close as their owners fade away. Dean is peacefully unaware of anything. Azrael knows Gabriel wants to talk. True to her brother's nature, he is bending time and space for them to be alone. This is the most time they have spent together in centuries. The irony of realizing of how apart they had drifted versus what is bringing back into each other's company is not lost on her. She is going to miss this.
Gabriel and Azrael walk into a pub. He takes a small table by the fire and waves down the tavern wench. She brings two tankards and places them in front of the pair. She gives Gabriel a wink as Gabriel breaks into a huge smile."
"One of your girls?" Azrael teases as she takes a sip.
"From a long ago time and a far away place, you figured this out?" Gabriel takes a serious tone.
"The only way to win is not to play." Azrael watches the fire. Gabriel makes himself comfortable as he watches the women.
"What have I always told you Az." He returns his gaze towards Azrael. "If you can't win …."
Azrael finshes. "Change the game. It's not that simple, Gabe." Azrael is again lost in her thoughts.
He taps Azrael on the hand. "It's all about faith, Az."
Azrael gives him a sigh and a forlorn look as she drinks down the rest of the tankard. Gabriel taps her on the hand again. "Azrael, father knew what he was doing. You are the only one of us who can pull this off. Sometimes, it is just about faith. You need to have some."
"Faith in?" She again returns her gaze towards the fire. "In me… in all of us… you know that is what he would want."
Azrael locks eyes with her brother. "Az, I will not let you down. I promise." She looks down. Her chin is raised by her brother's hand. "Forever and always Az."
She downs the new tankard that has been placed before her. She gives him a wink as she stands. "Guess I have an appointment to keep." She sets the tankard down on the table as she walks towards the door. She taps her hand to her forehead as she walks out.
The door opens to an elegantly appointed room. He sits in a chair waiting for her. He knew she would come. "Hello Darling." Crowley rises to his feet to greet Azrael. "I heard you have been making the rounds with some old friends... Ivanhoe? Really?" He admonishes her. "Vegas, Love, Monte Carlo is so much more your style... and without me... tisk... tisk."
She smiles as he takes her hand into his own and kisses it. He lingers with her hand cupped near his face. He takes in her scent while pulling her in closer to him. He leans in and kisses her neck. She returns a kiss to his cheek.
"What is troubling you, Darling?" He knows the burdens of his lover.
She smiles warmly at him. "Cara Mia, you know what you need to do."
He wraps his arms around her. "Tell me what you want from me."
"What makes you think I want something from you, Mon Cher." She pulls him into a kiss for a distraction. A distraction for both of them.
"Darling, I am a King, my kingdom is at your disposal."
"Lest you forget my love, you are only a king because I allow you to wear the crown." She pulls him into another kiss.
"Then be my queen." He again pulls her into him to kiss her neck.
"I bow before no king, even you my love." Azrael is sufficiently coy with Crowley to rouse his interest. She turns into him to continue the moment of romance. As much as she hates to admit, she has missed her adventures with Crowley. He is her little misfit. How the hell did things go so amiss as to make her playmate the King of Hell.
She knows what she needs to do. Faith, Gabriel tells her, have faith. They are words so easily uttered not so easily executed. She is lost in Crowley's affections. Knowing what is right and having it be the right thing to do are not always the same thing. She again indulges Crowley's affections for hours. She needs him more than even he realizes.
At last the time has come for her to leave him, She again gently kisses him on the lips as she leaves him blissfully unaware of her departure. She returns to her realm.
She opens the door and walks back into her library. Dean awakens at her arrival. He notices her rather disheveled appearance. He knows this look. He walks up to her touching her face and her neck. "Where have you have been…." She silences him with a finger to his lips. His tone bears the jealously of a scorned lover and she does not have time for that.
"Do not assume to know my business, Mr. Winchester." She taps him on the nose as she returns to her books.