Hello all. I would like to thank rainystv for the lovely reviews. So here we go next chapter. This one is rather long so I hope you like it. As usual the bits in italics are memories. This chapter goes through quite a lot of people's thoughts and feelings.
Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.
Then…
"Love you Rose." He finally managed to get out, though the words were barely auditable. But he had managed them, it had taken everything he had to say them, but they were said once more before he went in to the night. With that thought he took one last breath and his eyes rolled into the back of his head as he died with a smile on his lips that at least he got to see her beautiful face once more.
Now…
"Gabriel, no, no you can't be dead, Gabriel, you can't die. Oh god please tell me he isn't dead." Rose cried desperately grabbing at the body in front of her and trying to find a pulse or to check he was breathing anything that would tell her that he was going to be okay. She couldn't, no wouldn't lose him. Not after everything they had been through. She would do anything to get him back. Anything at all.
"He isn't dead." A gentle voice sounded from the other side of Gabriel's body. Turning Rose's mouth dropped open as sitting there on the ground next to the man she loved was his father, God, in his guise of Chuck the prophet. "He is currently changing in to a Jefferson Starship."
"Then save him." She demanded desperately, she didn't care that the being opposite her had the power to remove her from existence with a wave of his hand all she cared about was getting her Gabriel back.
"I can't save him Rose. He chose this path and it is not one I can interfere with." Chuck replied remorsefully. He wished he could just wave his hand and bring his son back, but it didn't work like that. Free will was a tricky concept and he could not interfere with a path chosen by one who had it. Not directly at any rate.
"Then what the hell good are you?" Rose snapped. She needed someone who could help him god damn it.
"I said I couldn't save him, but I can help he save himself." And with that Chuck put his hand on Gabriel's forehead and closed his eyes.
Dean saw Gabriel's eyes roll back and heard his sister's broken voice. He took a step towards them, though whether to comfort Rose or to stab Gabriel through the heart he didn't know, but then suddenly everything changed. Because there sitting next to Gabriel was Chuck. What the hell was going on now?
Castiel watched the same, but unlike Rose and Dean he wouldn't give up. He wouldn't believe that his father would abandon Gabriel like this. And as such he started to pray, using everything he had to call his father down to help his brother, and when he appeared in the form of Chuck the prophet Castiel felt himself smile. Everything would be fine now, his dad would save his brother. With that thought he took a step forwards so he was once again next to Dean and entwined their fingers tighter as he waited for his brother to wake.
Sam had no idea what was going on, he didn't know why Chuck was there, how Chuck had even got there and he really didn't understand what Isobel was doing. But he also knew better than to ask right now. The tension in the air was tangible and as such he just wrapped his long arms around Melissa and pulled her close. Subconsciously seeking comfort from her and returning it to the woman in his arms who knew even less than him about this situation.
Crowley watched on and for the first time in his life he prayed that this would work. Even though he and Gabriel had at one point been on opposite sides of the war of good and evil he had, since becoming human, come to respect the archangel. Even like him. He certainly had style when it came to winding up Moose and Squirrel, and anyone who could piss Dean off to such an extent was all good with him. After all Dean was also his favourite person to annoy. So when it looked like he had gone and the next time he awoke he would no longer be himself Crowley prayed. And when God (he wasn't stupid he knew who that was) appeared he did the only sensible thing for a former demon to do. He hid behind Bobby watching what was happening over his shoulder in hopes that he wouldn't spot him and send him straight back to hell.
Bobby watched on, not truly sure what was happening but hoping that the former archangel had a trick up his sleeve still so he would survive. He liked the guy, even if he did insist on calling him old man and grandpa. He made Rose happy and loved Isobel in the same way that he loved the boys. Yeah Bobby hoped he had a plan. He didn't want to lose any of this family.
Gabriel on the other hand decided he must be having the weirdest ass dream ever. Because he was in this place, which seemed to have no walls but was enclosed. And contained inside were things from every part of his life. Which considering he was created at the beginning of time, that was a lot of stuff. But one thing he knew for certain, this wasn't purgatory, which meant Dean hadn't killed him yet. Why not? There was no way to save him now, best just to get it over with right?
"Is that truly how you feel my son? Because if so I can leave Dean to his job if you wish." Came a voice behind him which made him roll his eyes. Of course this was his father's doing, who else would it be?
"Hey dad. So where are we and why are you here?" Gabriel asked not even bothering to reply to God's question. He didn't really care anymore.
"We're in your mind." God replied looking round as if he was actually interested in the shit that surrounded them.
"No wonder it's so freaking crazy." Gabriel muttered taking another look around himself at the things his mind thought were important. "And you're here because?" He asked again turning back to looking at his father.
"Well I'm here to help you save yourself." God replied sitting in a comfy looking armchair.
"In case you didn't get the memo dad, it didn't work." Gabriel replied bitterly, what was his dad here to rub it in? Was that what this was?
"It didn't work Gabriel, because you have not found your purpose." God replied crossing his legs and looking long and hard at his son.
"And you think you can help me do that in the extremely short amount of time I have left?" Gabriel laughed humourlessly, he had been trying to do that for months now with no success, why did his dad think that he could do it in minutes?
"Not if you do not believe it is possible Gabriel no. without faith you will never find the answer you seek." God said quietly still staring at Gabriel.
"Oh great more riddles. I don't need to seek my purpose dad, I know what it is." Gabriel argued crossing his arms at his father.
"Which is?" God asked simply.
"Rose and Isobel. They're my everything." Gabriel answered in a voice that said just try and contradict me.
"That is a lamentable purpose Gabriel, but it is also a human one. And you are an archangel. For this to work you must find that purpose within yourself." God replied seriously.
"I haven't really been an archangel for millennia dad." Gabriel replied with a sigh. Just what was he getting at here?
"Really? Do you truly believe that? What were you doing then if you were not an archangel?" God asked, though why Gabriel had no idea. He was well aware that his father knew the answer to that, but still he answered.
"Being Loki, pagan god of mischief. But you already know that so why ask me?"
"And tell me Gabriel what did Loki do?" God asked ignoring Gabriel's question in return for asking one of his own.
"He dealt people there just desserts." Gabriel said, he really was starting to wonder what his father was getting at here.
"Exactly." God replied as if Gabriel had just found some secret.
"Okay now you've lost me." Gabriel said running a hand through his hair in frustration at his father doing his favourite thing of speaking in freaking riddles again.
"You left heaven to protect the people who couldn't protect themselves. That to me seems like a very angelic thing to do." God explained.
Gabriel thought for a moment and once again tried to reach his grace with this new purpose of helping people but still it didn't work. What the hell was left for him to do? How did remembering his time as Loki help now if he still couldn't reach his grace?
"That doesn't help. I still can't reach my grace."
"That is because that is not you true purpose, the charge I laid down on your shoulders at the creation of this world. That's the purpose you must find to survive."
And with that God disappeared from his mind leaving Gabriel reeling as a memory long buried pushed to the surface of his consciousness. He had no choice but to stand and watch it.
Gabriel kneel before his father wondering what duty this being would give him. All his brothers had there's in this universe of light, he, as the last created of them, was the last to get his role.
"Gabriel. I have thought long and hard about what role you will play, you the youngest of the archangels. I have created many angels that are like you and your brothers, but you will be their leaders for the four of you have more power than they will ever comprehend. But they are young, and they do not know their way, and as such they need a teacher Gabriel, a guide. Would you be willing to take on this charge?"
"Yes father, I would." He replied instantly. He would be happy to help the younger beings. His new brothers and sisters.
"That is good. I have also started in motion the creation of my newest beings. Humanity. But for them I have created free will, they can choose to do as they wish. They will also need someone to guide them Gabriel, someone to show them my light and to foreswear the darkness. Will you do that to Gabriel, my son? Will you be my messenger to humanity?"
"Gladly father, I will spread your light and love to every corner of this universe." Gabriel replied. He had not thought his father would give him such an important role. He would be the bridge between his father and his creations and Gabriel could not wait until he could start his new duties.
"Then so be it Gabriel. You are now the chosen messenger of God."
The Gabriel in his head (the real one, not the memory) then found himself reliving various memories throughout his life, his announcement of Jesus' birth and all that entailed, the development of his and Jesus' friendship. The first he had ever had, and how that man had taught him about humanity in a way that watching them from heaven never had. Fast forward to his disappearance from heaven, changing his face but not being willing to give up his powers and as such taking on the form of Loki so he could continue being who he was. Enjoying that pranking and mischief that came with his new role, but finding that it didn't completely fulfil him. How he first found the joys to be had giving out just desserts to those who deserved them. Punishing the guilty and obnoxious as they deserved to be punished his new way of teaching gods words to the world. Discovering what Castiel had done when pulling Dean out of hell and choosing to protect the child that reminded him of his role in teaching the fledglings in heaven at the beginning of time. His first meeting with Rose and how she surprised him. How she taught him yet another aspect of himself that he had long since forgotten, about family. How he had told Sam and Dean how to open the cage and put Lucifer back in. The alternate reality where he learned about what could be. How he came back and changed it by sharing all he had learnt.
When the last memory disappeared Gabriel was breathless and wide eyed, because however much he may have believed he had left heaven it seemed he had never stopped doing that duty which his father laid upon his shoulders. He was and forever would be the chosen messenger of God and that was his purpose in life.
With that realisation Gabriel felt his grace surge forwards, it felt like coming home. The feel of the warmth once more seeping through his consciousness. And for the first time since he gave up his powers he felt truly right within himself. With that he closed his metaphorical eyes and allowed the feel of his true self envelop him.
